Description
Butternut Squash Apple Bake brings autumn comfort straight to your dinner table with sweet roasted squash and crisp apple slices melting together in one delightful dish. Warm spices and simple ingredients create a hearty side that feels like a seasonal hug for your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 2 large apples
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Garnish:
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Peel the butternut squash and slice it into precise 1-inch cubes, ensuring uniform sizing for even cooking.
- Core and peel the apples, cutting them into thick, substantial wedges that will hold their shape during roasting.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a spacious mixing bowl until the glaze becomes completely smooth.
- Tumble the squash cubes and apple wedges into the seasoned mixture, gently rotating them to ensure each piece gets thoroughly coated with the aromatic glaze.
- Transfer the glazed fruits to a generously greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading them into a single layer that allows each piece to caramelize independently.
- Slide the baking dish into a preheated 400°F oven and roast for 40-45 minutes, watching for tender squash and beautifully bronzed edges.
- Scatter ⅓ cup chopped pecans across the surface and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to toast the nuts.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes, allowing the caramelized juices to settle and thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use a sharp vegetable peeler or knife to easily remove butternut squash skin, making cubing much simpler.
- Choose firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and balanced sweetness in the dish.
- Toast the pecans separately for a few minutes before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning during final baking.
- For a vegan version, swap maple syrup with agave nectar and ensure your olive oil is high-quality for rich caramelization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg