Make-Ahead Roasted Butternut Squash Casserole

Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free

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This is a handy make-ahead version of one of my all-time favourite fall and winter side dishes showcasing the best of cold weather produce. See my tips below on how you can prep the casserole ingredients a couple days beforehand, so they’re ready to come together effortlessly at meal-time (just be sure to leave yourself about an hour to cook it, though). Sometimes, when I’m feeling wild, I like to double the vegan parmesan because it’s just so good!

Yield
6 side servings
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook time
55 Minutes
Total Time
1 Hour, 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

For the roasted squash:
  • 1 medium/large (2 to 2 1/2 pounds) butternut squash
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 cups (75 g) stemmed and finely chopped kale*
For the Almond-Pepita Parmesan:
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) whole almonds**
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) roasted pepita seeds**
  • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) nutritional yeast
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

  1. Grease an extra-large casserole dish with oil and set aside.
  2. Peel the squash. Thinly slice off the bottom and top and then slice through the middle lengthwise to make two halves. Remove seeds with a spoon. Chop the two halves into 1-inch chunks and place into the oiled casserole dish. (Time-saving tip: buy a couple pounds of pre-chopped fresh butternut squash from the produce section of the grocery store. This was a major game-changer in the Liddon household, let me tell ya!.)
  3. Add the minced garlic, parsley, oil, and salt into the casserole dish and toss with squash until combined (hands or a spoon both work well for this step!). Do not add the kale yet.
  4. Cover the casserole dish with tinfoil and pop it into the fridge.
  5. Place the chopped kale into a tightly sealed zip bag (being sure to squeeze any air out beforehand) or a small airtight container and refrigerate.
  6. For the parmesan: Place all of the Almond-Pepita Parmesan ingredients into a mini food processor and pulse together until coarsely ground. Transfer the mixture into a zip bag or small container before placing it in the fridge. All three casserole components can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
  7. When ready to cook the casserole, remove all prepped ingredients from the fridge. Poke a few air holes into the tinfoil covering the casserole dish.
  8. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  9. Place the covered casserole dish in the oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, until the squash is fork tender.
  10. Carefully remove the squash from the oven and reduce heat to 350°F (180°C). Remove the tinfoil (be careful as some steam might escape from the dish as you do). Stir the chopped kale into the squash until combined. Sprinkle all of the parmesan over top of the squash. Bake for another 6 to 10 minutes, uncovered, until the nuts are lightly toasted and the kale has wilted. Watch closely so you don’t burn either the nuts or kale. Serve warm, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Leftovers will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for about 5 days. To reheat, simply scoop the squash into an oiled skillet and heat over medium, stirring frequently, until heated through. Season to taste, and enjoy!

* I doubled the original amount of kale for extra green power!

** Feel free to swap in any nuts or seeds you prefer! There are endless possibilities. Pecans (which are used in the original version) are lovely, too.

MAKE IT NUT-FREE: Swap the almonds for more pepitas.

The total bake time your squash requires will depend on how fresh it is, how small you chop the squash, and how hot your oven runs, so you can start checking it after 35 to 40 minutes.

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