Butternut Squash Apple Bake Recipe
This delicious Butternut Squash Apple Bake combines tender butternut squash and sweet apples with warm cinnamon, raisins, and pecans for a comforting and flavorful fall side dish. Baked to perfection with a hint of vanilla and brown sugar, this dish is easy to prepare and perfect for holiday meals or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 1/2 pounds peeled, seeded, and small cubed butternut squash (about 2 cups, cubed evenly)
- 2 gala apples (peeled, cored, and diced, or a sweet apple of your choice)
Spices & Sweeteners
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Dairy
- 2 tablespoons butter (chopped into sections)
Dried Fruits & Nuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup pecans (or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the squash mixture.
- Mix Main Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the fruit and squash with the spices and sweetener.
- Season: Add salt and black pepper to the mixture and mix well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the butternut squash and apple mixture into a baking dish with a lid. Spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Add Butter and Bake: Dot the surface of the mixture with chopped butter pieces. Cover the dish with the lid and bake for 15 minutes to start softening the squash and apples.
- Add Nuts and Dried Fruits: Remove the dish from the oven, add raisins, dried cranberries, and pecans. Use tongs or a spoon to gently toss everything together to distribute evenly. Cover again and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the squash is tender and lightly browned.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from oven, stir the bake one last time to combine the flavors well, and serve warm as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute honey for brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Use your preferred nuts such as walnuts if pecans are not available.
- Make sure to peel and seed the butternut squash for the best texture.
- Serve warm as a side dish for fall and holiday meals.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and gently reheated before serving.
Keywords: butternut squash bake, apple squash side dish, fall side dish, baked butternut squash, holiday side dish, vegetarian squash recipe
Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/butternut-squash-apple-bake-recipe/
