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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil, lightly misting with cooking spray.
- 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.
- 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.
- In a large skillet, cook sweet Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, then set aside.
- Using the same skillet, sauté fennel and onion until they caramelize and develop a jammy texture, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- 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.
- Transfer the combined ingredients to a 9×13 baking dish and generously sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese.
- Switch oven to broil and place the casserole underneath until cheese melts and turns golden-brown.
- 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.
- 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