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Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 86 reviews

This Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole is a delightful blend of roasted butternut squash and honeycrisp apples, combined with savory sweet Italian sausage, caramelized fennel and onion, and topped with melted Gruyere cheese. Finished with a crispy or fresh sage garnish, it offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and herbal flavors, making it an ideal comforting fall or winter side dish or main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples

  • 2 lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into medium cubes
  • 2 honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced to match squash size
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (divided as needed)
  • Generous salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp dried ground sage
  • 1 1/2 tsp herbes de provence

Sausage and Vegetables

  • 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings off and broken up
  • 2 small fennel bulbs, halved, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 onion, cut into quarters and thin strips
  • Additional olive oil, as needed

Assembly and Garnish

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (additional)
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • Fresh sage leaves (for garnish—use fresh or fried)
  • 1/4 cup oil (for frying sage, optional)
  • Extra salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions

  1. Roast the Butternut Squash and Apples: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil, lightly misting it with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash and diced honeycrisp apples. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the mixture, then sprinkle generously with salt and black pepper. Add 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, dried ground sage, and herbes de Provence. Toss everything together to evenly coat. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender.
  2. Cook the Sausage: While the squash and apples roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the crumbled sweet Italian sausage. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside in a bowl.
  3. Caramelize the Fennel and Onion: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add the sliced fennel and onion and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and jammy. Remove from the pan and add to the bowl with the cooked sausage. Optionally, keep the pan on low for an extra minute to enhance sweetness.
  4. Combine and Assemble the Casserole: Switch the oven setting to broil. In a large bowl, mix the roasted squash and apples from Step 1 with the sausage, fennel, and onion mixture. Pour in the remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup and toss together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer this mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  5. Fry Sage Leaves (Optional): For a crispy garnish, heat 1/4 cup oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add fresh sage leaves and fry for about 20 seconds until crisp. Remove leaves immediately and drain on paper towels, sprinkling lightly with salt. Set aside for garnish.
  6. Broil the Casserole with Gruyere: Top the assembled casserole with shredded Gruyere cheese. Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fried or fresh sage leaves. Serve warm and enjoy the combination of sweet, savory, and herbal flavors.

Notes

  • You can substitute sweet Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
  • Frying the sage leaves is optional but adds a delightful crispy texture and flavor.
  • Gruyere can be mixed with Swiss cheese if desired for a milder cheese flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs if possible to enhance the aromatic profile.
  • This casserole is best served warm and can be reheated gently without losing texture.

Keywords: butternut squash casserole, cheesy casserole, autumn recipes, sweet Italian sausage, roasted squash, Gruyere cheese casserole, savory squash dish

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/cheesy-butternut-squash-casserole-recipe/