This Thanksgiving you can make your own modern butternut squash sweet potato casserole like a pro!

Mashed sweet potatoes have always been a traditional Thanksgiving side. So why not add a slight twist?

During times when you want to bring a special dish for a family and friends gathering or special occasion, this casserole is a great option.

Your casserole can look like you spent hours preparing and baking but in reality, it will take you less than 30 minutes to prepare.

With a slightly crispy edge on the outside and nutty yet perfectly sweet tender vegetables on the inside, this side dish will not disappoint.

This recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and salty requiring no extra sugar or maple syrup.

From now on, you will gladly skip the frozen casserole section in your local grocery store and choose to make your own that will be much more nutritious and satisfying.

With just a few simple ingredients, this is one meal from scratch that can be made all season long.

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CASSEROLES:

Baking casseroles are great for using up seasonal produce while giving them a savory twist. Of course, there’s the traditional way of baking and making sweet potatoes.

Or, using butternut squash for a healthy bowl of fall soup.

But, combining butternut squash and sweet potato is delicious and easy enough to make during the holidays or for an easy weeknight meal.

A butternut squash sweet potato casserole is filling enough to enjoy for dinner or as a breakfast casserole as well.

Breakfast?

Yes.

We started using leftover butternut squash sweet potato casserole mixed with scrambled eggs and my family can not get enough of it.

This is one of our new favorite ways to eat our scrambled eggs.

This casserole would also make a perfect side for Thanksgiving breakfast as well.

You will need:

A large sharp knife
A vegetable peeler

While there are tons of butternut squash and sweet potatoes in the grocery stores and farmer’s market, purchase several of each then store them in a cool dry place.

You can make several batches of the casserole over several days.

Once you start baking your casserole from scratch, you’ll be confident enough to bake casseroles all year round.

WHAT DEFINES A CASSEROLE?

A casserole usually consists of 3 components.

Meat or protein. Usually, chicken, tuna, or ground beef. You can also use beans, ham, or other sources of protein you prefer.

Vegetables. I prefer freshly chopped vegetables although some people do use canned instead.

A Starchy binder. Typically this is some form of flour, potato, or pasta

Casseroles are normally baked slowly in a deep pan with all the ingredients combined.

Casseroles can be served in the same pan they are baked in from the oven to the table.

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERNUT SQUASH SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

4 Sweet potatoes or yams
2 small to medium butternut squash
5 Teaspoon fresh garlic
2-3 Tablespoon cumin
Salt and black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Small pre-sliced ham or 16 oz bacon (you can omit the meat altogether)
1 cup freshly grated cheese (whichever flavor you prefer; or you can omit cheese)

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Choose a large/deep casserole dish to grease.
Peel and cube all the sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Make the cubes as small as you’d like. Just be careful not to cube them too tiny unless you want more of a ‘mashed’ type casserole.
Add the sweet potatoes and butternut squash into the greased casserole dish. Drizzle olive oil on top. Add in garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin.
Add in ham or bacon. Mix all the ingredients well.
Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 45 – 60 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Once done, remove from oven and add freshly grated cheese on top

WHAT DOES BUTTERNUT SQUASH TASTE LIKE?

Butternut squash has a slightly nutty and sweet taste. Similar to a buttery, brown sugar flavor. Some compare the taste of butternut squash to pumpkin or carrot. Toasted pecans are often used with butternut squash because the two flavors complement each other well. If you’re concerned about calories, butternut squash has fewer calories than sweet potatoes.

WHAT ARE SOME BUTTERNUT SQUASH SUBSTITUTES?

These substitutes will make your casserole taste just as delicious. You can also try using these in addition to your casserole.

Acorn squash
Pumpkin
Buttercup squash
Hubbard squash
Carrots
Delicata squash