Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping: The Ultimate Holiday Comfort Dish

Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn and winter with this exceptional butternut squash pecan casserole. A creamy, dreamy mashed butternut squash base is elevated by a delightful crunchy oat streusel topping, making it an absolute must-have for your holiday table. This festive dish effortlessly blends the earthy sweetness of squash with warm spices and the satisfying crunch of pecans, creating a side dish that often steals the show as a dessert.

Looking for more delicious savory sides? Try this roasted vegetables recipe for a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Butternut Squash Casserole

This butternut squash casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience, a celebration of comfort food that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. Here’s why this dish will become a treasured favorite in your home:

Beyond Pumpkin Spice: A Richer Flavor Profile

While pumpkins often get the spotlight, butternut squash offers a subtly sweeter, nuttier, and more complex flavor that truly shines in this casserole. We enhance its natural goodness by cooking the squash with a touch of sugar from the start, allowing the flavors to deepen and caramelize, laying a perfectly sweet foundation for the dish. A hint of vanilla further emphasizes these sweet notes, adding an aromatic depth that is simply irresistible.

A Symphony of Warm Spices

What truly transforms this humble squash into a holiday masterpiece is the thoughtful blend of warming spices. Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves come together to create a fragrant, comforting aroma and a taste reminiscent of your favorite fall desserts. Each spice plays a crucial role, contributing to a rich, complex flavor profile that feels both familiar and special, making it a fantastic alternative or complement to traditional sweet potato casseroles.

Unmatched Creaminess with a Delightful Crunch

Texture is everything in a great casserole, and this recipe delivers on both fronts. Evaporated milk is the secret to achieving an incredibly rich and velvety smooth base, ensuring every spoonful is pure creamy indulgence. But the magic doesn’t stop there. The star of the show might just be the crunchy oat streusel topping, loaded with toasted pecans. This irresistible layer adds a contrasting texture, a buttery sweetness, and a delightful nutty bite that complements the creamy squash beautifully. It’s the perfect balance that will leave everyone wanting more.

Effortless Elegance for Any Occasion

Despite its gourmet taste and festive presentation, this butternut squash casserole is surprisingly easy to make. The steps are straightforward, requiring minimal fuss, even for novice cooks. What’s more, it’s an excellent make-ahead dish, allowing you to prepare it in advance and simply bake it before serving. This convenience is a game-changer, especially during busy holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas when kitchen space and time are precious. You can even freeze it, making your holiday planning much smoother.

Essential Ingredients for Your Butternut Squash Casserole

Crafting this delightful casserole begins with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this comforting holiday staple:

For the Creamy Butternut Squash Base:

• Butternut Squash: Approximately 2 pounds, peeled and diced. Look for squash that feels heavy for its size and has a firm, unblemished skin. Fresh squash is key to the best flavor and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Half a cup is used to cook with the squash, enhancing its natural sweetness and helping it caramelize slightly.
• Vanilla Extract or Powder: A dash adds a lovely aromatic sweetness that beautifully complements the squash and spices.
• Large Eggs: Two eggs act as a binder, giving the casserole structure and contributing to its creamy texture.
• Evaporated Milk: One 5oz can. This is essential for achieving that ultra-rich and silky consistency without thinning the mixture too much.
• Butter: Four tablespoons, preferably unsalted, adds richness and helps create a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel.
• Ground Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cloves. This blend is the heart of the casserole’s festive flavor profile. Ensure your spices are fresh for maximum potency.

For the Crunchy Pecan Streusel Topping:

• Oats: Half a cup. Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for a rustic, chewy texture.
• Brown Sugar: ¼ cup. Its molasses notes add a deeper sweetness to the streusel.
• Pecans: ¼ cup, chopped. These add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. You can lightly toast them beforehand for even more depth.
• Melted Butter: Two tablespoons bind the streusel ingredients together, creating that irresistible golden-brown crispness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Perfect Casserole

Creating this delicious butternut squash casserole is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps to bring this festive dish to life:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
2. In a large pot, combine the peeled and diced butternut squash with the granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the squash pieces are fork-tender. This step not only cooks the squash but also helps to develop its sweet flavor.
3. While the squash is cooking, prepare the creamy base. In a blender, combine the eggs, softened butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Add the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to the blender with the liquid mixture. Blend again to thoroughly incorporate the spices, ensuring an even distribution of flavor.
5. Once the cooked squash is tender, gradually add it to the blender with the creamy, spiced mixture. Blend until you achieve a smooth, uniform consistency. If you prefer a slightly chunkier casserole, you can use a potato masher or fork instead of a blender for this step. Pour the smooth squash mixture into a 9-inch round oven-safe baking dish.
6. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is mostly firm.
7. While the casserole is baking, prepare the streusel topping. In a small, deep bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, chopped pecans, and melted butter. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated and crumbly.
8. After the initial baking period, remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the prepared pecan streusel topping over the butternut squash mixture.
9. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and crispy.
10. Allow the casserole to cool down for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the flavors meld and the casserole to set properly, resulting in a perfect texture.

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Butternut Squash Casserole

To ensure your butternut squash casserole is nothing short of spectacular, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Achieving Your Desired Texture: For an incredibly creamy and silky casserole, a blender or food processor is your best friend when processing the cooked squash mixture. If you prefer a more rustic, textured dish with small chunks of squash, opt for a potato masher or even just a fork to mash the cooked squash.
• Easy Squash Prep: Peeling and dicing butternut squash can be challenging. For easier handling, you can microwave the whole squash for 2-3 minutes before peeling. This softens the skin slightly, making it much easier to cut. Always use a sharp chef’s knife and cut it in half, scoop out seeds, then peel.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can lead to a dry casserole. The casserole is done when the center is mostly set, and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. The topping will also be beautifully golden and crisp.
• Cooling is Key: While tempting to dive in immediately, allowing the casserole to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving is crucial. This helps the flavors deepen and the casserole to set, resulting in a cleaner slice and a more enjoyable texture.
• Enhance Sweetness Naturally: A tiny pinch of salt can actually enhance the sweetness of the squash. For an extra bright flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of orange zest or a splash of orange juice to the squash mixture before blending.

Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions for Stress-Free Holidays

This butternut squash casserole is a fantastic make-ahead dish, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday preparations. Here’s how to manage it:

• Cook Squash Ahead: You can cook the butternut squash up to 5 days in advance. Once tender, allow it to cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container.
• Prepare the Casserole Mixture: The entire butternut squash mixture (without the streusel topping) can be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Simply spread it into your baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding the topping and baking as directed, possibly adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
• Freeze for Longer Storage: For even longer preparation, you can freeze the prepared squash mixture in the baking dish for up to 1 month. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight before baking, or bake directly from frozen (ensure your dish is freezer-to-oven safe) and increase the baking time significantly (up to an hour or more, covering if needed to prevent over-browning).
• Streusel Prep: The oat streusel mixture can also be prepared ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Add it to the casserole just before the final bake.

Storage of Leftovers:

Any leftover butternut squash casserole keeps exceptionally well. Simply transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions for up to a month. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

I’ve personally made this dish countless times for my family, and it’s always met with rave reviews, especially from my children. They simply can’t resist the sweet, fresh aroma of cinnamon, brown sugar, and toasted nuts wafting from the kitchen. It truly smells heavenly and tastes even better!

Serving Suggestions: More Than Just a Side

This versatile butternut squash casserole shines in many roles on your table. While it’s a quintessential holiday side dish, its sweet and comforting profile allows it to be enjoyed in various ways:

• Classic Holiday Pairing: It’s the perfect companion to roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering. Its rich, sweet notes beautifully complement savory meats.
• Brunches and Potlucks: Serve it alongside egg dishes, bacon, or sausages for a delightful weekend brunch. It’s also an excellent addition to any potluck, as it travels well and appeals to a wide range of tastes.
• A Cozy Dessert: Thanks to its dessert-like qualities from the sweet squash and streusel, it can easily double as a lighter dessert. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream would make it even more decadent.
• Everyday Comfort: Don’t reserve this casserole just for special occasions! It’s a comforting addition to any weeknight meal, bringing a touch of warmth and sweetness to a simple roast chicken or pork chop.

Delicious Variations & Customizations

Feel free to get creative with this recipe and adapt it to your taste or what you have on hand:

• Nutty Alternatives: If pecans aren’t your favorite or aren’t available, walnuts or chopped almonds make excellent substitutes in the streusel topping. For an extra crunch, you could even add some pumpkin seeds.
• Spice It Up (or Down): Adjust the spice blend to your preference. Love ginger? Add a little more! Not a fan of cloves? Reduce the amount or omit them. A pinch of allspice could also be a lovely addition.
• Sweetness Level: You can slightly decrease or increase the amount of sugar in the squash mixture or the streusel to match your desired sweetness.
• Maple or Brown Sugar Glaze: Instead of the streusel, you could drizzle a simple maple syrup glaze or a sprinkle of brown sugar over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a different kind of sweet finish.
• Citrus Boost: A little zest from an orange or lemon, added to the squash mixture, can brighten the flavors and add a refreshing undertone.
• Vegan Option: While this recipe uses dairy and eggs, you can adapt it to be vegan by using plant-based butter, unsweetened full-fat coconut milk (for creaminess), and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) as an egg substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use frozen butternut squash?

A: Yes, you can! If using frozen butternut squash, thaw it first and pat it dry to remove excess moisture. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as frozen squash can sometimes be softer.

Q: How do I peel and cut butternut squash easily?

A: To make peeling easier, you can prick the squash with a fork a few times and microwave it for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin. Then, carefully cut off both ends, stand it upright, and use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the skin. Halve it lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and then dice it.

Q: Can I make this casserole savory instead of sweet?

A: Absolutely! To make a savory version, omit the granulated sugar and vanilla from the squash mixture. Instead, add ingredients like sautéed onions or shallots, garlic powder, a pinch of sage or thyme, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The streusel topping can also be made savory with herbs and cheese instead of sugar and pecans.

Q: What if my casserole is too watery?

A: This can happen if the squash retains too much moisture. Ensure you cook the squash until it’s very tender and any excess liquid has evaporated. If your mixture still seems too loose after blending, you can bake it uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the streusel to help it firm up.

Recipe Summary: Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole

Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole

Butternut Squash Casserole is a special side dish, a creamy casserole with a crunchy texture at the top. Made with fresh butternut squash, this family favorite is perfect for any time of year, especially the holidays.

Average Rating: ⭐ 4.60 from 5 votes

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Course: Dessert | Cuisine: American | Diet: Halal

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 55 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 318kcal | Author: Amira

Ingredients

For the Casserole

• 2 lb butternut squash, peeled and diced
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• A dash of vanilla powder or vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (5oz) can evaporated milk
• 4 Tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves

For the Topping

• ½ cup oats
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup pecans, chopped
• 2 Tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. On a large pot over medium-high heat, mix squash and sugar. Cook on medium until fork-tender.
3. In your blender, add eggs, butter, milk, and vanilla. Blend well to combine.
4. Add all the spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves) and blend again until fully incorporated.
5. Gradually add the cooked squash to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour the squash mixture into a 9-inch round oven-safe dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix the topping ingredients (oats, brown sugar, chopped pecans, melted butter) in a deep bowl until well combined and crumbly.
7. After the initial baking, sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
8. Let it cool down before serving to allow the casserole to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• This butternut squash casserole is designed to be creamy and silky. For this texture, use a blender or food processor. If you prefer a more textured mixture with some small chunks of squash, use a potato masher or a fork.
• Leftovers keep very well in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze for up to a month.

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Cook the butternut squash up to 5 days ahead. Once cool, refrigerate it in an airtight container.
• You can also prepare the entire butternut squash mixture (without the topping), spread it in your baking dish, and refrigerate for up to 3 days ahead, or freeze for 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before baking, or bake directly from frozen (ensure your baking dish is oven-safe for frozen items) and extend cooking time accordingly.
• The oat streusel mixture can be prepared ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container, ready to sprinkle on just before the final bake.

Nutrition

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First published Nov 19, 2016. Last updated October 27, 2020 with new images, step-by-step instructions, and improved readability.