Description
Southern-style butternut squash casserole brings comfort and warmth to holiday tables across America. Home cooks can savor creamy, spiced layers with a crunchy pecan topping that delights dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb 0.45 kg butternut squash, peeled and cubed into medium-size chunks
- ½ lb 0.23 kg sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and cubed into larger chunks
- 2 small fennel bulbs, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 onion, quartered and thinly sliced
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 2 tbsps 30 mL pure maple syrup, divided
- ½ tsp ground sage
- 1 ½ tsps Herbes de Provence
- olive oil
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- fresh sage leaves (fresh or fried), for garnish
Instructions
- Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheet with foil, lightly misting with cooking spray. Cube butternut squash and apples, then toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, maple syrup, ground sage, and Herbes de Provence for even coating.
- Vegetable Roasting: Spread seasoned mixture on prepared baking sheet, roasting for 35 minutes and stirring periodically until squash becomes tender and golden.
- Protein Preparation: Cook sweet Italian sausage in large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, then set aside. In same skillet, sauté fennel and onion until caramelized and jammy, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Casserole Assembly: Combine roasted squash and apples with sausage, fennel, and onion mixture, adding an extra tablespoon of maple syrup and adjusting seasonings. Transfer to 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle generously with grated Gruyere cheese.
- Finishing Touches: Broil casserole until cheese melts and turns golden-brown. Create crispy sage garnish by quickly frying sage leaves in hot olive oil for 20 seconds, drain on paper towels, and lightly salt. Scatter fried sage leaves over casserole and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Roast for Caramelization: Stirring periodically during roasting ensures even browning and prevents burning, developing deep, rich flavors in squash and apples.
- Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality sweet Italian sausage for maximum depth and richness in the overall casserole taste profile.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Watch closely under broiler to achieve perfect golden-brown cheese crust without burning, which requires careful 1-2 minute monitoring.
- Sage Garnish Pro-Tip: Quickly fry sage leaves for maximum crispness and delicate texture, ensuring they provide a crunchy, aromatic finish to the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg