This isn’t your 1950s casserole, that’s for sure! Right in line with the “throw it all in a pot and boil” is the “throw it all in the pot and bake”! We love this recipe because it uses a lot of squash, it’s super easy to make, it tastes wonderful, and it makes enough for leftovers.
Savory Winter Squash Casserole
You can make this using any type of winter squash – each will give it a unique flavor. The casserole pictured here is made from blue ballet squash. Adapted from “Autumn Squash Pasta” in Recipes from America’s Small Farms.
Ingredients.
- 4 lbs. Winter Squash
- 1 lb. Ziti, Penne, or Rotini Pasta
- 1/2 C Olive Oil
- 2 T Unsalted Butter
- 2 Large Leeks*
- 1/2 Small Onion*
- 2-3 Garlic Cloves
- 2 t Salt
- 1 t Fresh Ground Black Pepper
- 1 C Water (or white wine, if you have it)
- 1/3-1/2 C Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2-3 T Fresh Parsley
*Alternatively, substitute 6 scallions for the leeks and onions
Steps.
1. Cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds. (You can set the seeds aside for roasting later if you like.)
2. Place the squash halves upside down on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Add about one inch of water to the baking sheet, and bake at 400F for 45-60 minutes, until soft.
3. Remove squash from baking sheet and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Note: you can do these three steps earlier in the day, or the day before and store in fridge.
4. While the squash cooling, cook the pasta in boiling water (salted “like the sea,” Matt says). Cook for 3 minutes less than the cooking time on the package. Then drain and set aside.
5. While the pasta is cooking, coarsely chop the garlic, leeks and onion. Then remove the squash from the skins with a spoon.
6. Heat the oil and butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the leeks, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Saute until the onion is translucent but make sure the garlic does not burn.
7. Add the squash and 1/2 cup of water/wine, stirring until a thick sauce is formed. Add extra water/wine as needed to make it thick but not too thick.
8. Fold in the cooked pasta, taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
9. Spoon into a glass baking dish (or two, if you only have a small one). Sprinkle with cheese.
10. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the cheese browns. Serve onto plates and top with fresh parsley.
Makes 8 side servings or 4 full servings.
More Squash Recipes!
- Our Own Fresh Pumpkin Pie (you can substitute any winter squash)
- Our Delicious Winter Squash Souffle
- Expatriate’s Kichen: recipes using pumpkin and other squash
- Favorite Winter Squash Recipes at Homestead Farm
- Winter Squash Recipes at Epicurious
- Old Fashioned Kitchen Winter Squash Recipes
And there are also cookbooks full of good squash recipes:
- The Classic Zucchini Cookbook (more than just zucchini)
- Recipes from America’s Small Farms
- Simply in Season
- Joy of Cooking
What Are Your Favorite Squash Recipes?
Similar Posts:
- Recipe: Easy Baked Potatoes & Tomatoes, Apulian Style
- Recipe: Delicious Winter Squash Souffle
- Recipes: Lemon Sponge Custard & More Lemon Ideas!
- Recipe: Mom’s Homemade Chiles Rellenos
- Recipe: How To Roast Vegetables Simply
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I would have to say my pumpkin pie/pumpkin custard recipe is a favorite of mine- especially when used to make pumpkin pie creme brulee!
I also like zucchinni baked with cheese and tomatoes- and my aunt shirley’s stuffed squash. And pumpkin soup – something new I made this year is right up there-
But #1 in my heart is plain old roasted acorn squash with Nutmeg, Butter and Brown Sugar.
Yum! I may have to try this one. I have half of a banana squash sitting in my fridge that needs used. I also like making a mix of peeled, cubed squash, carrots, potatoes, onion and garlic, tossing it with olive oil, rosemary, black pepper and sea salt then roasting it in the oven.
Awesome! I’ve been remiss in my winter squash baking this year and have a garage-full of pumpkins glaring at me every time I enter – not to mention the freezer over-flowing with pureed pumpkin. Thanks for the reminder and the recipe.
And Rob, and your recipes would be where?? I need to come snoop around your blog and take a look.
looks delicious! i have a mountain of acorn and butternut squash staring at me from the kitchen. it’s almost as if they’re begging to be eaten. tonight, some of them will get the opportunity to fulfil their destiny!
That looks delicious!
How did you know that I was cooking winter squash this weekend? : )
I’m making squash/farro/bean soup. I’m going to have to try your casserole too.
Grean Bean- The pumpkin creme Brulee recipe is simple- it is simply pumpkin pie custard put into ramekins instead of pie crusts
Zucchinni with cheese and tomatoes is easy- a layer of sliced zucchinni, a layer of sliced tomato,a layer of sliced cheese- preferably mozzerella or fontina, repeat. Top with some parmesan- Kinda of a zucchinni lasagne. My aunt Dorothy used to put bacon in there two, but I am trying to be nicer to pigs this year. The stuffed squash has no recipe, my aunt took it to her grave- But I will be trying to hash it together myself this year.
This looks great and I’ll have to bookmark this. Have any summer squash ideas?
A superb Blog about how to cook VEGETARIAN dishes.