Description
Butternut squash apple bake brings warmth to my autumn table with simple, comforting ingredients that blend sweet and savory perfectly. Roasted chunks of squash and crisp apple slices mingle under a light sprinkle of cinnamon, creating a side dish that makes dinner feel special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups butternut squash
- 2 large apples
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Optional Garnish:
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a sharp knife and carefully slice 4 cups of butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes after peeling the skin completely.
- Core and thinly slice 2 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, aiming for pieces about ¼-inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and combine the prepared squash and apple slices. Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup over the mixture.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper across the ingredients. Gently toss everything to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Transfer the seasoned mixture to a large baking dish, spreading the ingredients into a single layer to maximize caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes. Stir the contents once around the 20-minute mark to ensure uniform browning.
- Check the squash’s tenderness by piercing with a fork. When the edges turn golden and the squash softens completely, remove from the oven.
- For an elegant finishing touch, scatter a handful of dried cranberries or chopped walnuts across the top just before serving warm.
Notes
- Slice the squash and apples roughly the same size to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Use a sharp chef’s knife for clean, precise cuts that help the vegetables caramelize beautifully.
- For a dairy-free version, skip any butter and use olive oil as the primary fat in the recipe.
- Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar if you prefer a different natural sweetener.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg