Name: Butternut Squash Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash; 2 apples; ¼ cup unsalted butter; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ teaspoon cinnamon (or more to your liking); 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour; ½ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

This Butternut Squash Casserole brings sweet apples, tender squash, and buttery pecans together into one simple, cozy fall side dish.

This sweet side dish is delicious as a holiday dinner side with savory options such as oven roasted turkey and stuffing.

close up of Butternut Squash Casserole in a dish

Recipe Highlights: A Cozy Fall Side Dish You’ll Love

Flavor: The cinnamon kissed, caramelized sauce is warm, sweet, and complements the tender squash and apples, while buttery nuts add a satisfying crunch.
Skill Level: Simple enough for beginners. Most of the work involves peeling the squash and chopping apples, but the baking step is super easy.
Tools: A 2-quart casserole dish, vegetable peeler, and sharp knife handle most of the work.
Time Saver: Pre-peeled, cubed butternut squash reduces prep considerably. You can use frozen squash, but the texture and flavor is better with fresh squash.

Total Time: 1 Hr 20 Mins Servings: 8 Cooking Method: Oven

Ingredients Notes

butternut squash casserole ingredients including butternut squash, apples, brown sugar, pecans, butter, flour, and cinnamon.

Squash: Butternut squash has a sweet, nutty flavor and smooth texture. Look for a medium- sized squash with a firm skin and without blemishes.
Apples: Use apples that will remain firm when cooked such as Granny Smith or Gala apples. But regarding flavor, any apple works.
Sweetener: Use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor, however light brown sugar will also work. Add maple syrup to, or replace, the brown sugar.
Flavor: Cinnamon is all the spice needed for this dish, but add in a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or even a small dash of cloves if desired.
Flour: Needed to help the melted butter and brown sugar cling to the apples and squash.
Topping: Pecans provide the delicious crunchy texture in every bite. Walnuts work equally well and can be used in place of pecans.

How to Make Butternut Squash Casserole

adding ingredients to dish to make Butternut Squash Casserole.

Butternut Squash Casserole in the dish before cooking.

Prepare and cube butternut squash. Add to casserole dish.
Combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts.
Core and chop apples. Add to the squash. Add the brown sugar mixture and toss.
Bake uncovered (full recipe below).

Butternut Squash Casserole Tips

Cut squash into 1-inch cubes and make the apples a similar size so they cook evenly.
Wear food-safe gloves when peeling and cutting butternut squash. The juice can leave your hands feeling dry and may cause temporary orange staining.
Prep the squash and brown sugar mixture ahead of time, but cut the apples closer to assembly to preserve their color and texture. If you need to cut apples ahead of time, toss them with a little lemon juice to limit browning.
Check for the tenderness of butternut squash rather than using the clock alone. A piece should be easily pierced when the casserole is ready.

Storing Butternut Squash Casserole

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze for up to 2 months, but know the apples will become softer once thawed.
This casserole can be reheated in the microwave, or covered in the oven with a lid or foil. Add a touch of butter and even a bit of maple syrup to loosen it up.
Blend leftovers and add to soups, or use as a condiment. Reheated leftovers are delicious served alongside baked pork tenderloin or chicken.

More Vegetable Sides for the Holidays

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