Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
This Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole is the perfect harvest-inspired side dish for your fall dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the apples just right is to cook them separately until they’re caramelized and crispy. The combination of sweet, tender butternut squash and crispy, caramelized apples is irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe for Dessert and Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe With Coconut Sauce.
Why This Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout
- Crispy, caramelized apples
- Tender, sweet butternut squash
- Easy to make ahead
What You'll Need for Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Chopped pecans (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Butternut squash: Make sure to peel and dice the squash into small, even pieces for even cooking.
- Apples: Choose a firm, sweet apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Food Chopper — Saves time and effort in prepping the butternut squash → See on Amazon
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife — Makes quick work of slicing and dicing the apples and butternut squash → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook butternut squash: Toss the diced butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of butter, salt, and pepper. Spread it evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
- Cook apples: Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are caramelized and crispy.
- Assemble casserole: In a large bowl, combine the cooked butternut squash and caramelized apples. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans (if using).
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley (if using).
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the butternut squash. It can become mushy and lose its texture. To prevent this, keep an eye on it and remove it from the oven as soon as it's tender.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of dried sage or thyme to the apple mixture.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
Freezing Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
Freeze individual portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of dried sage or thyme to the apple mixture.
- Best substitution: If you don't have butternut squash, you can substitute it with sweet potatoes or pumpkin.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the casserole is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Want to level up this recipe?
Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — Perfect for cooking the apples and ensuring even heat distribution → Check price on Amazon
Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped pecans (optional)
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook butternut squash: Toss the diced butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of butter, salt, and pepper. Spread it evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
- Cook apples: Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are caramelized and crispy.
- Assemble casserole: In a large bowl, combine the cooked butternut squash and caramelized apples. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans (if using).
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley (if using).
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of dried sage or thyme to the apple mixture.
- Best substitution: If you don't have butternut squash, you can substitute it with sweet potatoes or pumpkin.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the casserole is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, then bake as directed before serving.
Overcooking the butternut squash can cause it to become mushy. To prevent this, keep an eye on it and remove it from the oven as soon as it's tender.
Yes, you can use any firm, sweet apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. The best apples for this recipe are those that hold their shape when cooked.
This recipe is already gluten-free. Just make sure your butter is dairy-free if you have dietary restrictions.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
