Cozy Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe: Autumn’s Best Comfort

Butternut squash casserole elevates ordinary ingredients into a comforting culinary masterpiece that captures autumn’s essence.

Warm, velvety textures mingle with rich, earthy flavors that dance across your palate with unexpected depth.

Home cooks appreciate this dish for its remarkable versatility and crowd-pleasing potential.

Seasonal vegetables blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious medley of taste and nutrition that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Subtle hints of herbs and spices elevate the casserole from simple side dish to memorable centerpiece.

Creamy layers promise a delightful experience that connects family and friends around the dinner table.

Hearty and satisfying, this recipe represents more than just a meal – it’s an invitation to create lasting memories.

Step-by-Step Butternut Squash Casserole Directions

Step 1: Prepare Roasting Ingredients

• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Line baking sheet with foil
• Lightly spray foil with cooking spray

• Butternut squash
• Apples
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Maple syrup
• Ground sage
• Herbes de Provence

Step 2: Roast Squash and Apples

Chop butternut squash and apples into cubes

Toss ingredients with olive oil and seasonings

Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet

Roast for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally

Ensure squash becomes tender and golden

Step 3: Cook Sausage

Heat olive oil in large skillet

Add sweet Italian sausage

Cook until browned and fully cooked

Remove sausage from skillet and set aside

Step 4: Caramelize Vegetables

Use same skillet for fennel and onions

Add extra olive oil if needed

Cook vegetables until soft and caramelized

Combine with cooked sausage

Step 5: Assemble Casserole

Mix roasted squash, apples, sausage, and vegetables

Add remaining maple syrup

Season with salt and pepper

Transfer to 9×13 baking dish

Top with grated Gruyere cheese

Step 6: Broil and Finish

Switch oven to broil setting

Melt cheese until golden and bubbly

Watch carefully to prevent burning

Step 7: Create Crispy Sage Garnish

Heat olive oil in small saucepan

Fry sage leaves for 20 seconds

Drain on paper towels

Sprinkle with salt

Step 8: Serve Warm

Garnish casserole with fried or fresh sage leaves

Serve immediately while hot and cheese is melted

Tips to Get the Creamiest Butternut Squash Casserole

• Roast Squash Perfectly: Cut butternut squash into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and golden caramelization.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Drizzle maple syrup sparingly to enhance natural sweetness without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Caramelize Fennel Carefully: Cook fennel and onions slowly to develop deep, rich flavor and achieve a jammy, soft texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Watch the broiler closely to prevent burning, aiming for a golden-brown, bubbly cheese topping.
• Sage Leaf Pro Tip: Use fresh or quickly fried sage leaves to add a crispy, aromatic garnish that elevates the casserole's presentation.

Butternut Squash Casserole: Comfort Food at Its Best

• Savor Seasonal Harmony: This recipe brilliantly combines sweet butternut squash, crisp apples, and savory sausage, creating a perfect balance of autumn flavors that dance together in every bite.
• Master Easy Gourmet Techniques: With simple roasting and caramelizing methods, home cooks can effortlessly transform humble ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes impressively complex.
• Celebrate Textural Excitement: The casserole delivers a luxurious mix of textures- tender roasted squash, crispy sausage edges, jammy caramelized fennel, and melted golden cheese that provides delightful contrast in each spoonful.
• Quick Comfort for Any Gathering: This versatile dish works wonderfully as a cozy family dinner, elegant side for holiday meals, or hearty potluck contribution that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients List for Butternut Squash Casserole

Main Ingredients:

• Butternut Squash: A sweet, nutty vegetable that provides a creamy base and rich flavor for the casserole. Choose a firm squash with no soft spots or blemishes.
• Apples: Adds natural sweetness and balance to the squash. Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.

• Sweet Italian Sausage: Brings savory depth and meaty texture to the dish. Look for high-quality, fresh sausage for maximum flavor.
• Fennel, Onion: Provide complex, caramelized undertones that enhance the overall taste profile. Fresh, crisp fennel bulbs work best.

• Gruyere Cheese: Offers a rich, nutty topping that melts beautifully. Choose aged Gruyere for more intense flavor.
• Sage Leaves, Herbes de Provence, Ground Sage: Deliver aromatic herbal notes that complement the squash and sausage. Fresh sage leaves are ideal for garnish.

• Olive Oil: Helps roast vegetables and adds smooth, rich undertones. Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Provides subtle sweetness and helps caramelize the vegetables.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the dish's flavors.

Storage Guidelines for Butternut Squash Casserole

• Refrigeration: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, preserving quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or restore the entire dish's crispy top by baking in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese bubbles.

What Works Well with Butternut Squash Casserole

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, savory butternut squash casserole with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Côtes du Rhône, which balances the dish's earthy flavors and creamy texture.
• Match with Crisp Salad: Create a refreshing contrast by serving a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, cutting through the casserole's richness and adding a bright, peppery note to the meal.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Enhance the dining experience with a rustic sourdough or country-style bread, perfect for soaking up the delicious caramelized fennel, sausage, and squash juices.
• Finish with Apple Cider: Complement the maple and apple elements in the dish by pairing with a chilled, slightly sweet hard apple cider that echoes the casserole's autumnal flavors.

Variations to Reinvent Butternut Squash Casserole

• Harvest Veggie Swap: Replace butternut squash with sweet potatoes or pumpkin for a different autumnal flavor profile. Keep the caramelized fennel and onions for depth.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Substitute sweet Italian sausage with roasted chickpeas or crumbled plant-based sausage. Add smoked paprika for extra richness.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Incorporate roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese instead of Gruyere, and sprinkle with za'atar seasoning. Use fresh oregano as an alternative herb.
• Spicy Southwestern Transformation: Add diced green chilies, replace maple syrup with honey, use pepper jack cheese, and top with crispy jalapeños for a kick of heat.

Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Butternut squash casserole delivers comfort and warmth from autumn’s golden harvest. Creamy, cheesy layers meld with caramelized squash and crisp herb-infused topping, promising delicious moments that welcome you to savor seasonal magic.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) butternut squash, peeled and cubed into medium-size chunks
• ½ pound (0.23 kilograms) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
• 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and cubed into larger chunks

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 2 small fennel bulbs, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 onion, quartered and thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon ground sage
• 1 ½ teaspoons Herbes de Provence
• Fresh sage leaves (fresh or fried), for garnish

Seasonings and Cheese:

• Olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure maple syrup, divided
• 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil, lightly misting with cooking spray.
2. Cube butternut squash and apples, then toss in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, maple syrup, ground sage, and Herbes de Provence to ensure even coating.
3. Spread the seasoned mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, roasting for 35 minutes and stirring periodically until squash becomes tender and develops a golden color.
4. In a large skillet, cook sweet Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, then set aside.
5. Using the same skillet, sauté fennel and onion until they caramelize and develop a jammy texture, approximately 10-12 minutes.
6. Combine the roasted squash and apples with the sausage, fennel, and onion mixture, adding an additional tablespoon of maple syrup and adjusting seasonings to taste.
7. Transfer the combined ingredients to a 9×13 baking dish and generously sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese.
8. Switch oven to broil and place the casserole underneath until cheese melts and turns golden-brown.
9. Create a crispy sage garnish by quickly frying sage leaves in hot olive oil for approximately 20 seconds, then drain on paper towels and lightly salt.
10. Finish the dish by scattering the fried sage leaves (or fresh alternatives) over the casserole and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• Elevate your autumn dinner with this hearty, flavor-packed casserole that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience.
• Roasting butternut squash and apples intensifies their natural sweetness, creating a caramelized base that’s both complex and comforting.
• Sweet Italian sausage adds a rich, savory depth, perfectly balanced by the subtle anise notes of caramelized fennel and onions.
• Broiling with Gruyere cheese creates a golden, crispy top that adds a luxurious texture and nutty flavor to the dish.
• Crispy fried sage leaves provide a delicate, aromatic garnish that elevates the entire presentation and brings a final layer of sophistication.
• Prep this dish ahead of time and reheat, as the flavors continue to meld and develop, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or entertaining.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg