Butternut squash apple bake with a delicious sweet brown sugar topping! My roasted butternut squash with apples and brown sugar is so easy to make it tastes like you're having dessert but you're really getting a serving of veggies!
My mom has been making this squash and apple casserole for years and I just had to share how quick and easy it is to make! This is a great side dish during fall and winter time and uses all those great seasonal cold weather veggies.
For a healthier option, you can make baked butternut squash with apples and maple syrup in place of the brown sugar. I've made it both ways and both are equally delicious!
Make sure to read my Ultimate Guide on Making Healthy Easy Dessert Recipes at Home featuring healthy cookie dough bars.
SQUASH APPLE BAKE INGREDIENTS
- butternut squash
- apples
- butter
- brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- flour
- salt
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR BUTTERNUT SQUASH TO SOFTEN IN THE OVEN?
Butternut squash takes about an hour to soften in the oven if it is cut into cubes. You can shorten that time to 30-40 minutes if you cover your pan!
WHAT DOES BUTTERNUT SQUASH PAIR WELL WITH?
Butternut squash pairs well with warm fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Butternut squash is a sweeter squash and pairs well with fruits like apples and pears! My butternut squash apple bake recipe is the perfect way to blend butternut squash with sweet apples for a dish everyone will love!
WHAT BRINGS OUT THE FLAVOR OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH?
You can really bring out the flavor of butternut squash with some simple spices like salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg! You don't need too much at all to get a ton of flavor in your squash apple bake.
HOW TO MAKE EASY BUTTERNUT SQUASH APPLE BAKE
My butternut squash and apple casserole is so easy to make! It is a family favorite and tastes like you are eating a dessert!
STEP 1 PEEL AND SLICE SQUASH AND APPLES
Make sure to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and like a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to help prevent casserole from sticking.
First, peel your butternut squash. Cut it in half and then discard any seeds.
STEP 2 MAKE THE SWEET BROWN SUGAR CINNAMON TOPPING
In a small bowl, mix together your squash and apple casserole topping till completely combined.
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pink sea salt
If you want a crumb topping instead, simply stir in about ¼ cup of rolled oats! You can also double this squash casserole topping if you love a lot of topping but for us it is more than enough!
Pour your brown sugar (or maple syrup) topping all over the top of the butternut squash and apples.
STEP 3 BAKE AND ENJOY!
Place squash apple casserole in your preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes.
You can check to see if your casserole is done by poking one of the butternut squash with a fork. If it is soft it is done! The apples bake much faster than the squash so they will be done too.
It might not look like a lot of topping, but it really is! Make sure you scoop all the way to the bottom where some of the delicious topping has melted to. If you want even more topping, you can definitely double the topping but we love it this way!
HOW TO BAKE YOUR SQUASH APPLE CASSEROLE FASTER
To bake butternut squash apple casserole faster, simply cover your pan with a lid! Your squash apple bake should be done in about 30 minutes if you bake it with a lid. Broil for 5 minutes at the end if you like the top to be golden brown.
HOW TO STORE SQUASH APPLE BAKE
Transfer any cooled leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about my squash apple bake recipe.
DO YOU PEEL SQUASH BEFORE BAKING?
Yes! Definitely peel the skin off your butternut squash before baking it in your casserole. You can peel the skin off very easily with a good vegetable peeler!
HOW DO I MAKE A VEGAN BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE CASSEROLE?
For a dairy free and vegan friendly squash apple bake, simply substitute the butter for a vegan butter. All other ingredients are vegan already.
HOW TO MAKE A BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH APPLES AND MAPLE SYRUP
If you want to use maple syrup in your topping instead of brown sugar simply sub about ⅓ cup of pure maple syrup in place of the ½ cup brown sugar.
FOR A BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE CASSEROLE WITH CRUMB TOPPING
If you like a more crumbly topping on your squash apple bake that is similar to apple crisp all you have to do is stir about ¼ cup of rolled oats into the topping! And if you like a lot of topping just double all the topping ingredients and use ½ cup rolled oats.
More Healthy Baked Dessert Recipes you're going to love!
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Healthy Apple Crisp
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie
- Healthy Chocolate Pudding Pie
- Healthy Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Healthy Banana Cream Pie
- Almond Flour Pie Crust
- Wheat Flour Pie Crust
- Gluten Free Pie Crust
If you try my Butternut Squash Apple Bake Recipe, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube!
Butternut Squash Apple Bake
Equipment
- cutting board
- vegetable peeler
- Knife
- Parchment paper
- 9 x 13 baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 2 # butternut squash (medium sized squash)
- 3 large apples
for the sweet brown sugar topping:
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pink sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel, slice and cube the butternut squash into approximately ¼ inch slices. Arrange the cubed butternut squash onto a 9 x 13 baking pan lined with parchment paper.1 2 # butternut squash (medium sized squash)
- Peel and chop the apples into approximately ½ inch wedges. Arrange the apple slices on top of the butternut squash.3 large apples
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the topping.¼ cup butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon pink sea salt
- Pour the brown sugar topping evenly across the top of the sliced apples.Bake your squash apple bake for approximately 60 minutes or until the butternut squash is soft when poked with a fork. see notes below on how to speed up cooking time.
- Remove squash apple bake from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy!
Sam
This is literally my favorite recipe you ever posted thank you so much!!!
Paige
I can't wait to try this one!!