Butternut Squash Dressing Casserole Recipe – This roasted squash casserole features bacon, chopped nuts, and crushed crackers for a savory stuffing-like dish. It’s a deliciously unique side that is perfect for the holidays!

top view baked savory butternut squash casserole

Best Butternut Squash Casserole

If you love butternut squash, but aren’t crazy about all the cloyingly sweet recipes you find online, our savory Squash Casserole is for you!

This squash bake is packed with roasted butternut squash, onions, garlic, bacon, toasted pecans and, fresh herbs. Crushed saltine crackers absorb the moisture and give the dish a texture that is similar to traditional stuffing. It’s tender and fluffy, slightly crunchy on top, and loaded with your favorite fall and winter flavors.

If you aren’t a huge fan of traditional stuffing, around the holidays you absolutely have to learn how to make butternut squash casserole1

And with just a few simple swaps the recipe also becomes a vegetarian-friendly and/or gluten free stuffing!

Prep time is only 20 minutes, and a few steps can even be made ahead. The butternut squash dressing is baked hands-off for under an hour, so you can easily work on other dishes at the same time.

If you are looking for a unique side dish for holiday meals, this is it!

Butternut Squash Casserole -
spoon scooping a helping of squash stuffing from a baking dish

Ingredients for Butternut Squash Casserole

  • Butternut squashpeeled and chopped into 3/4 inch cubes
  • Olive oilor preferred neutral-flavored high heat oil
  • Thick-cut baconchopped
  • Oniondiced
  • Garlicminced
  • Pecansroughly chopped
  • Fresh sagechopped
  • Saltine crackers
  • Half & half
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan cheesegrated
  • Salt and pepper

Pro Tip: Purchase pre-chopped squash from the produce section of the grocery store for fast prep. Fresh is best, but in a pinch, you can certainly use frozen squash.

Butternut Squash Casserole - top view baked squash dressing with spoon scooping a portion

How to Make Butternut Squash Stuffing

First, preheat the oven to 400°F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet, a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, and a large skillet. Grease the baking dish and set it aside. 

Place the chopped butternut squash chunks onto the rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then salt and pepper liberally. Note: This is the only time salt is added to the recipe due to the use of bacon, saltine crackers, and Parmesan cheese, so be generous.

Spread the cubed butternut squash out into a single layer. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes until soft and toasted around the edges.

Meanwhile, place the skillet over medium heat. Brown the chopped bacon in the skillet. Once crispy, add in the onions and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften, then stir in the chopped pecans, sage, and thyme. Sauté another 1 to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

cooking bacon with aromatics in a cast iron skillet with wooden spoon

Crush the sleeve of saltine crackers with your hands. Note: You want them to be crushed but not pulverized into a powder.

In a small mixing bowl whisk the half-and-half and eggs together.

Once the butternut squash comes out of the oven, move it to the greased baking dish. Add in the bacon and onion mixture, and the crushed crackers.

Toss well to mix, then spread out and an even layer.

Get the Complete (Printable) Butternut Squash Stuffing Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

unbaked casserole

Next, pour the egg mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

pouring milk and egg mixture over the bake

Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. 

sprinkling on parmesan cheese

Bake the butternut squash casserole for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is crispy.

baked casserole with squash and crunchy topping

Serve warm with your favorite holiday mains and other classic side dishes.

Butternut Squash Casserole -
spoon scooping butternut squash dressing

Tips & Tricks

  • Add extra veggies! Spinach or kale would be a great green addition to this squash casserole!
  • Substitute the butternut squash for sweet potatoes! If you can’t find butternut squash or have sweet potatoes on hand, sweet potatoes would be amazing here!
  • Fresh is best, but you can also use frozen butternut squash here if preferred!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this holiday butternut squash casserole with all of your favorite holiday dishes! Here are some of my favorites:

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this a vegetarian butternut squash casserole?

To make a vegetarian squash casserole recipe, skip the bacon. Instead, use 1 tablespoon of preferred high-heat cooking oil to sauté the onions and garlic.

How do you prepare this as a gluten-free squash stuffing recipe?

Swap classic saltine crackers with gluten-free saltine crackers.

What goes well with butternut squash dressing as a side dish?

This savory squash casserole is perfect with roasted turkey for Thanksgiving, served alongside homemade gravy and mashed potatoes. For Christmas dinner, we love to enjoy this casserole with a baked ham and duchess potatoes.

Get more holiday recipe ideas here!

How long do leftovers last?

The casserole will keep well for up to 5 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. But note that the crackers will continue to soften the longer the dish sits, which will change the texture. To reheat, bake in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until warm throughout and crispy on the top.

spoon scooping savory butternut squash stuffing

Looking For More Delicious Holiday Side Dish Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

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Butternut Squash Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
This butternut squash casserole features bacon, chopped nuts and crushed crackers for a savory stuffing-like dish. A deliciously unique dressing recipe that's perfect as a holiday side dish!
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet, a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, and a large skillet. Grease the baking dish and set aside.
  • Place the chopped butternut squash onto the rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Then salt and pepper liberally. (This is the only time salt is added to the recipe due to the use of bacon, saltine crackers, and Parmesan cheese, so be generous.)
  • Spread the cubed butternut squash out into a single layer. Roast in the oven for 30+ minutes until the squash is soft and toasted around the edges.
  • Meanwhile, place the skillet over medium heat. Brown the chopped bacon in the skillet. Once crispy, add in the onions and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften the onions. Then stir in the chopped pecans, sage, and thyme. Sauté another 1 to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
  • Crush the sleeve of saltine crackers with your hands. In a small mixing bowl whisk the half-and-half and eggs together.
  • Once the butternut squash comes out of the oven, move it to the greased baking dish. Add in the bacon and onion mixture, and the crushed crackers. Toss well to mix, then spread out and an even layer.
  • Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is crispy. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Look for pre-chopped butternut squash in the produce department to save time. Fresh is best, but you can also use frozen squash.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup, Calories: 245kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 158mg, Potassium: 593mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 14255IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 131mg, Iron: 2mg
Course: Holiday, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Author: Sommer Collier
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