Description
Baked acorn squash casserole brings comfort straight from Southern kitchens to your dinner table. Creamy, cheesy layers blend perfectly with sweet squash and savory seasonings that make your family smile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large acorn squash
- 1 ¾ cups pecans
Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt
Topping Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Halve 3 large acorn squash and remove seeds with a spoon, creating clean cavities.
- Brush the squash interiors with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place squash cut-side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast the squash at 425°F for 40-45 minutes until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Allow squash to cool for 10-15 minutes, then scoop out the roasted flesh into a mixing bowl.
- Mash the squash thoroughly until smooth and consistent in texture.
- Add ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 2 beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the mashed squash.
- Mix the ingredients until well combined and seasoned to your taste.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Prepare the pecan topping by mixing 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup flour, 1 ¾ cups chopped pecans, and 1 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl.
- Transfer the squash mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle the pecan topping generously over the squash mixture.
- Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, covering with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- Roasting the squash skin-side-up helps caramelize the natural sugars and creates a deeper flavor profile.
- Brown butter adds a nutty, rich undertone that elevates the entire casserole’s complexity.
- Ensure your pecans are fresh and lightly toasted to maximize their crunch and prevent a stale taste.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in equal measurements.
- Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 526
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg