Savory Butternut Squash Casserole
Butternut Squash Dressing Casserole Recipe – This roasted squash casserole features bacon, chopped nuts, and crushed crackers for a savory stuffing-like dish. It’s a deliciously unique side that is perfect for the holidays!
The Best Butternut Squash Casserole
If you love butternut squash, but aren’t crazy about all the cloyingly sweet recipes you find online, our savory Squash Casserole is for you!
This squash bake is packed with roasted butternut squash, onions, garlic, bacon, toasted pecans and, fresh herbs. Crushed saltine crackers absorb the moisture and give the dish a texture that is similar to traditional stuffing. It’s tender and fluffy, slightly crunchy on top, and loaded with your favorite fall and winter flavors.
And with just a few simple swaps the recipe also becomes a vegetarian-friendly and/or gluten free stuffing!
Prep time is only 20 minutes, and a few steps can even be made ahead. The butternut squash dressing is baked hands-off for under an hour, so you can easily work on other dishes at the same time.
If you are looking for a unique side dish for holiday meals, this is it!
Ingredients You Need
- Butternut squash – peeled and chopped into 3/4 inch cubes
- Olive oil – or preferred neutral-flavored high heat oil
- Thick-cut bacon – chopped
- Onion – diced
- Garlic – minced
- Pecans – roughly chopped
- Fresh sage – chopped
- Saltine crackers
- Half & half
- Eggs
- Parmesan cheese – grated
- Salt and pepper
Pro Tip: Purchase pre-chopped squash from the produce section of the grocery store for fast prep. Fresh is best, but in a pinch, you can certainly use frozen squash.
How to Make Savory Butternut Squash Casserole
First, preheat the oven to 400°F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet, a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, and a large skillet. Grease the baking dish and set it aside.
Place the chopped butternut squash chunks onto the rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then salt and pepper liberally. Note: This is the only time salt is added to the recipe due to the use of bacon, saltine crackers, and Parmesan cheese, so be generous.
Spread the cubed butternut squash out into a single layer. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes until soft and toasted around the edges.
Meanwhile, place the skillet over medium heat. Brown the chopped bacon in the skillet. Once crispy, add in the onions and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften, then stir in the chopped pecans, sage, and thyme. Sauté another 1 to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Crush the sleeve of saltine crackers with your hands. Note: You want them to be crushed but not pulverized into a powder.
In a small mixing bowl whisk the half-and-half and eggs together.
Once the butternut squash comes out of the oven, move it to the greased baking dish. Add in the bacon and onion mixture, and the crushed crackers.
Toss well to mix, then spread out and an even layer.
Get the Complete (Printable) Butternut Squash Stuffing Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Next, pour the egg mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake the butternut squash casserole for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is crispy.
Serve warm with your favorite holiday mains and other classic side dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip the bacon. Instead, use 1 tablespoon of preferred high-heat cooking oil to sauté the onions and garlic.
Swap classic saltine crackers with gluten-free saltine crackers.
It’s perfect with roasted turkey for Thanksgiving, served alongside homemade gravy and mashed potatoes. For Christmas dinner, we love to enjoy this casserole with a baked ham and duchess potatoes.
Get more holiday recipe ideas here!
The casserole will keep well for up to 5 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. But note that the crackers will continue to soften the longer the dish sits, which will change the texture. To reheat, bake in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until warm throughout and crispy on the top.
Looking For More Delicious Side Dish Recipes?
- Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips
- Best Easy Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
- Best Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
- Corn Pudding Recipe (Corn Souffle)
- Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole
Savory Butternut Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 3.5 pounds butternut squash peeled and chopped into ¾ inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5-6 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped sage
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers about 36 crackers
- 1 cup half & half
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet, a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, and a large skillet. Grease the baking dish and set aside.
- Place the chopped butternut squash onto the rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Then salt and pepper liberally. (This is the only time salt is added to the recipe due to the use of bacon, saltine crackers, and Parmesan cheese, so be generous.)
- Spread the cubed butternut squash out into a single layer. Roast in the oven for 30+ minutes until the squash is soft and toasted around the edges.
- Meanwhile, place the skillet over medium heat. Brown the chopped bacon in the skillet. Once crispy, add in the onions and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften the onions. Then stir in the chopped pecans, sage, and thyme. Sauté another 1 to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- Crush the sleeve of saltine crackers with your hands. In a small mixing bowl whisk the half-and-half and eggs together.
- Once the butternut squash comes out of the oven, move it to the greased baking dish. Add in the bacon and onion mixture, and the crushed crackers. Toss well to mix, then spread out and an even layer.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is crispy. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
I had about 2 1/2 cups of diced steamed butternut squash leftover in my fridge. I found this recipe and it sounded good. It also just happened that I had all the ingredients on hand. I did how ever had to substitute dried sage for fresh.
I just cut the recipe in half and the end result was absolutely delicious, I will make this again.
I WILL ADD A BROWN SUGAR, I ALWAYS NEED A LITLLE SWEET WITH SALTY,
I made it without the crackers or pecans (didn’t have either in the pantry) and added extra cheese. Still delicious!
Are the eggs required? I am allergic to egg yolks
Hi Bean!
You can skip the eggs… It just won’t hold together quite the same way. But it will still taste DELISH!!
Great dish – it’s packed with flavor and so delicious!
I am obsessed with the flavors in this casserole! It’s so tasty and full of texture. I need to make it again soon!
This casserole is ABSOLUTELY going on our Thanksgiving table!! It is amazing and I know it’s going to be a huge hit!
this casserole is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!