Description
A comforting, creamy winter dish that transforms roasted butternut squash into a luxurious bake with a crispy, cheesy topping. It is naturally gluten-free, versatile, and perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3–4 pounds / 1.5 kg), peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel the squash, remove seeds, and cut flesh into 1-inch cubes.
- Place squash cubes on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer roasted squash to a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter, maple syrup, heavy cream, egg, garlic, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Blend with a food processor until smooth or mash with a potato masher for a chunkier texture.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Pour squash mixture into the dish and spread evenly.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, toasted nuts, and fresh thyme.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil, coconut cream, and vegan cheese. The bake can be made ahead by roasting and mashing the squash up to 2 days in advance. Do not freeze, as the texture may become grainy. Toast nuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding for better flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
Keywords: butternut squash, roasted squash, winter recipes, gluten-free, vegetarian, comfort food, holiday sides, healthy dinner