The Ultimate Sweet and Savory Butternut Squash Casserole: A Holiday Favorite

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredible Butternut Squash Casserole, a truly delicious and hearty side dish that perfectly complements any holiday meal. What sets this recipe apart is its exquisite balance of flavors, offering a wonderful combination of savory depth and sweet notes. This harmony is beautifully achieved with a rich, buttery topping crafted from crunchy gingersnap crumbs and crisp, crushed vanilla wafers. It’s a comforting classic with a unique twist that promises to become a new tradition at your festive table.

If you’re a fan of the comforting, earthy flavor of butternut squash, you might also enjoy my reader-favorite recipe for Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Both dishes showcase the versatility of this beloved autumn vegetable.

This cherished recipe first graced our tables in 2020. Since its initial publication, it has been refined and perfected, now featuring a more descriptive title and even more detailed, easy-to-follow instructions to ensure your success in the kitchen. We’ve taken great care to enhance every aspect, from preparation tips to serving suggestions, making it easier than ever to create this memorable dish.

🍲 Essential Ingredients for Your Butternut Squash Casserole

Crafting the perfect butternut squash casserole starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that sought-after sweet and savory balance and irresistible texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it’s important:

• Butternut Squash: This is, without a doubt, the star of our casserole. When choosing butternut squash, look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and free of soft spots or blemishes. Its naturally sweet, nutty flavor provides the perfect base for our dish. Preparing the squash can sometimes feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. For comprehensive options on how to prep your squash, including peeling, dicing, and various cooking methods, my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe offers several detailed approaches. You can choose to roast it, steam it, or even microwave it until tender, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture for the casserole base.
• Fresh Ginger: This is a delightful “secret ingredient” that truly elevates the flavor profile of the casserole. Freshly grated ginger introduces a bright, zesty warmth and a subtle hint of spiciness that beautifully complements the sweetness of the squash and the other fall spices. It adds an unexpected layer of complexity that makes this casserole truly memorable. Don’t skip it – it makes a significant difference!
• Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Nutmeg: This classic trio of fall spices is indispensable for creating that quintessential autumnal aroma and taste. Cinnamon offers a sweet, woody warmth; ground cloves provide a pungent, aromatic depth; and nutmeg adds a delicate, spicy-sweet note. Together, they infuse the butternut squash with a comforting, festive flavor that is synonymous with holiday cooking and baking.
• Gingersnap Cookies: Moving beyond traditional pecan toppings, crushed gingersnap cookies offer an incredible crunchy texture and a bold, spicy-sweet flavor that pairs exceptionally well with butternut squash. Their robust ginger and molasses notes provide a fantastic counterpoint to the milder sweetness of the squash, creating a sophisticated and utterly addictive topping.
• Vanilla Wafers: These classic comfort food cookies blend seamlessly with the gingersnaps to form a uniquely delicious topping. When crushed and combined with butter, vanilla wafers contribute a delicate sweetness and a wonderfully crisp texture, making the topping both familiar and exciting. The subtle vanilla flavor enhances the overall sweetness of the casserole without overpowering it.
• Milk, Softened Butter, Eggs, Sugar, Flour, Vanilla Extract: These pantry staples form the creamy, custardy base of the casserole. Milk and butter add richness and moisture, while eggs act as a binder, giving the casserole its structure and smooth consistency. Sugar balances the flavors, and a touch of flour helps achieve the perfect texture. Vanilla extract further enhances the sweet notes and brings all the flavors together harmoniously.

Pro Tip for Easy Butternut Squash Prep: Preparing butternut squash can be time-consuming, but there are plenty of easy options to streamline the process for this casserole. You can often find pre-peeled and diced butternut squash conveniently packaged in the produce section of your grocery store, saving you a significant amount of time and effort. Alternatively, frozen butternut squash, available in the frozen foods aisle, works just as well and is another fantastic shortcut. These options ensure you can enjoy this delicious casserole without the fuss of extensive vegetable preparation.

📖 Crafting Your Butternut Squash Casserole: Step-by-Step

Making this butternut squash casserole is a straightforward process, designed for maximum flavor with minimal stress. Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping side dish:

1. Prepare and Mash the Butternut Squash

First, you need to soften your butternut squash. While roasting brings out a deeper flavor, microwaving is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe. Peel the squash, scoop out the seeds, and cut it into evenly sized cubes. Place the cubes in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and microwave on high for about 15-20 minutes (for pre-cut squash) or 20-30 minutes (for fresh-cut), or until it’s very tender when pierced with a fork. You can also bake the squash in halves at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes until tender. Once cooked, transfer the soft squash to a large bowl and use a potato masher or a sturdy fork to mash it to a semi-smooth consistency. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and will add a nice rustic texture to your casserole.

2. Combine the Casserole Base Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl or a 4-cup glass measuring cup, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, softened butter, beaten eggs, fresh grated ginger, and vanilla extract. Ensure everything is well combined. Pour this mixture into the large bowl with your mashed butternut squash. Next, in another small bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Gradually add the dry mixture to the squash and wet ingredient mixture, stirring continuously until everything is thoroughly incorporated and smooth. Pour this rich, aromatic squash mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. For optimal flavor and texture, cover the dish with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.

3. Prepare the Irresistible Cookie Crumb Topping

While your butternut squash casserole bakes to perfection, it’s time to prepare the star topping. Take your vanilla wafers and gingersnap cookies and place them in a sturdy zip-lock plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, gently but firmly crush the cookies until they form fine, even crumbs. You’ll want approximately ⅔ cup of combined cookie crumbs. This method ensures uniform crumbs and makes for an easy cleanup. Alternatively, you can pulse them briefly in a food processor for even quicker results.

4. Finish and Bake the Casserole

Once the cookie crumbs are ready, add ¼ cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the bag with the crumbs. Seal the bag and use your fingers to massage the ingredients together until the crumbs are evenly coated and moist. This creates a rich, cohesive topping that will crisp up beautifully in the oven. After 45 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly spread the prepared cookie crumb topping over the hot butternut squash mixture. Return the baking dish to the oven, this time uncovered. Continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, bubbly, and fragrant. The edges should be hot and gently simmering. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors settle.

💪 Recipe FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are some common questions about making and serving Butternut Squash Casserole to help you perfect this holiday staple:

🍳 What to Serve with Butternut Squash Casserole

This delightful butternut squash casserole is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to almost any meal, especially during the festive season. It’s one of my family’s absolute favorite holiday casseroles, a dish we eagerly anticipate and prepare every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

⭐ Inspiration & More Holiday Recipes to Explore

The inspiration for this delightful Butternut Squash Casserole recipe emerged from a classic I discovered in a Taste of Home magazine about two decades ago. I adored its comforting essence but felt inspired to add my own creative touches, incorporating fresh ginger and the unique crunch of gingersnaps to truly make it sing. This adaptation transformed a simple side into a truly special dish.

If you’re looking for more culinary inspiration to make your holidays truly memorable, you’ve come to the right place. Dive into more of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, designed to bring warmth, flavor, and joy to your festive gatherings. From impressive main courses to comforting sides and delectable desserts, there’s something for every palate and occasion.

If you make this irresistible Butternut Squash Casserole, I would absolutely love to hear how it turned out for you and your family! Please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and a comment below to share your experience and any tips you discovered. Your feedback is truly appreciated and helps other home cooks. I’m eagerly looking forward to hearing from you!

Recipe Card

Butternut Squash Casserole

A delightful, hearty butternut squash casserole, featuring a unique sweet and savory flavor profile thanks to a buttery gingersnap and vanilla wafer crumb topping. Perfect for holiday meals and special gatherings.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 292 kcal

Author: Melinda O’Malley Keckler

Ingredients

Casserole Base

• 3 lbs butternut squash – (if you buy pre-sliced or cubed squash from the grocery store, it makes prep a cinch)
• ¾ cup milk
• 6 tablespoons butter – softened
• 3 eggs – beaten
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger – grated
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cookie Crumb Topping

• ⅓ cup vanilla wafer crumbs – (about 9 wafers, crushed)
• ⅓ cup gingersnap cookie crumbs – (about 6-7 cookies, crushed)
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter – melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Butternut Squash: Cook butternut squash in the microwave for about 20-30 minutes on high until very tender. If using pre-sliced or cubed squash, cooking time is about 15 minutes. Once cooked, place the squash in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
3. Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, softened butter, beaten eggs, fresh grated ginger, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Add this wet mixture to the mashed butternut squash in the large bowl and stir to blend thoroughly.
4. In another small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Add these dry ingredients to the squash mixture. Stir until everything is well blended and smooth.
5. Pour the squash mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. At this point, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it for up to two days if preparing ahead of time.
6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
7. Prepare Topping: While the casserole is baking, place the vanilla wafers and gingersnap cookies in a zip-lock plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form (you’ll need about ⅔ cup total crumbs). Add the brown sugar and melted butter to the cookie crumbs in the bag. Massage the ingredients together with your fingers until thoroughly combined.
8. Remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly crumble the cookie crumb topping over the hot butternut squash mixture. Return the baking dish to the oven, now uncovered.
9. Bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, hot, and bubbly around the edges.
10. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serves 6-8 as a side dish.

Notes

For the topping, store-bought gingersnaps are recommended over homemade, as their crunchier texture holds up better. This casserole pairs beautifully with Elegant Green Bean Casserole and Sweet Corn Pasta Salad for a winning holiday side dish menu!

Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)

• Calories: 292 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 75mg
• Sodium: 69mg
• Potassium: 542mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 26g
• Vitamin A: 14846 IU
• Vitamin C: 29mg
• Calcium: 103mg
• Iron: 2mg

Please note: The nutrition details provided are estimated using a food database and are intended as a rough guide, not an exact science. Values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

💖 Thank you for cooking with us! 💖