November 7, 2013

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole + Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole

I have to admit, my favorite thing about Thanksgiving isn’t the turkey, it’s the side dishes. I love the potatoes, green beans, hot rolls, squash, and just about anything else that is surrounding the bird. During the fall I don’t find myself experimenting with turkey recipes, I focus on new side dish ideas. I am always looking for new favorites, ways to prepare a soup or vegetable I haven’t tried before. This year my latest favorite is this cheesy butternut squash casserole. It is salt, sweet, and hearty enough to be a side dish at one of the biggest meals of the year.

To make this awesome dish the other day I started by roasting the squash until soft and caramelized and cooking some onions on the stovetop. Then I tossed the squash and onions with sour cream and lots of Sargento cheese, a little salt and pepper, and topped it with panko bread crumbs. I popped it in the oven to bake until the cheese was totally melted and the panko a golden brown. After letting it cool just a bit I dove in with my fork and was thrilled with the outcome. The squash was rich and flavorful and the cheese was just the right touch. The panko topping was golden and crunchy, the perfect texture to combine with the softened squash.

This dish is definitely hearty enough for a Thanksgiving meal. It could even be made for a light vegetarian supper! Next time I am thinking of adding dried cranberries or cherries. They would add a nice pop of flavor and color. The get you in the mood for some cheesy Thanksgiving side dishes from friends at Sargento are giving away a great set of goodies you’ll need to make your very own squash casserole!

Creuset Baker

– This awesome Le Creuset baker that looks amazing on any table.

All Clad Serving Spoon

– A great serving spoon for all kinds of Thanksgiving side dishes.

Kitchen Towels

– A gorgeous set of kitchen towels to ft the festive fall decor and pick up hot pots and pan!

– A pack of coupons for free Sargento cheese!

To Enter to Win the Sargenton Cheese Giveaway:

1) Share your favorite Thanksgiving side recipe.

2) Subscribe to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook

3) Like Sargento on Facebook

4) Contest runs from November 7th at 7:00am through November 14 at 7:00am ET. U.S. residents only please. Good luck!

(Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sargento. The photographs and recipes are my own. Thank your for supporting the sponsors that make The Naptime Chef possible.)

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole + Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 3 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Yield: 1 large pan

Serving Size: 6 to 8

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Ingredients

  • 7 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
  • vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 11/2 cups Sargento 4 State Cheddar Cheese
  • 11/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss the squash with the oil and spread it onto the baking sheet. Roast for about 45 minutes, or until soft enough to be speared with a fork. Turn the squash when roasting as necessary.
  2. Warm a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Stir until soft and translucent. About 10 minutes. Then add the garlic and stir for one more minute. Remove from the heat.
  3. Scoop the onion and garlic into a large bowl and stir in the sour cream, cheese, salt and pepper. Then toss this mixture with the roasted squash. Spread the squash into a 13x9 baker.
  4. Toss the panko with the butter and sprinkle this over the squash. Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees F and bake the casserole for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
https://thenaptimechef.com/2013/11/cheesy-butternut-squash-casserole-thanksgiving-giveaway/

 

70 Responses to “Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole + Thanksgiving Giveaway!”

  1. Kate says:

    I love broccoli and cheese casserole, which also has rice and water chestnuts in it.

  2. Barbara Condit Murrin says:

    we love creamed onions

  3. S Staum says:

    We live in northern Minnesota and our favorite side dish is Wild Rice pilaf and real cranberry sauce, not canned.

  4. ilonaskitchen says:

    mashed potatoes!

  5. beatriz says:

    turkey and potatoes together!!

  6. saramama says:

    I love stuffing, probably more than the turkey even.

  7. Meghan says:

    sausage and apple stuffing!

  8. rachel says:

    Dark wheat rolls. Delicious and chewy.

  9. christophersorel says:

    Love this Bomb baked potatoes

    Potatoes

    sour cream

    cream cheese

    Shredded cheese any kind of your choice

    Green onions

    Bacon

    Salt pepper and garlic powder

    Butter

    Boil your potatoes and drain the water mash the potatoes very well add in your
    cream cheese your sour cream salt and pepper garlic powder and milk and mash it
    all together take your potatoes then put them in a baking pan top it with
    cheese and then the chives from the green onions and take fried bacon chopped
    up into small pieces and scattered across the top bake at 375 for 20 to 25
    minutes and you got some bomb baked potatoes you can adjust the recipe however
    you like to taste a little more this a little more that but these potatoes are
    absolutely a hit everytime I make them

  10. christophersorel says:

    email subscriber

  11. Stacy says:

    Grand Mariner cranberries! (don’t cook out all the alcohol depending on the guest list!)

  12. christophersorel says:

    Like Sargento on Facebook and you as well

  13. latanya t says:

    I like stuffing

  14. latanya t says:

    I Subscribe to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook

  15. alex says:

    My moms cornbread stuffing w/ leeks, mushroom, and cranberries. Or her cranberry sauce which has mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple in it

  16. anne hill says:

    my favorite thanksgiving day side is sauted kale with homemade dried cranberry! its delicious and the colors are perfect for the holiday season so it looks great on the dinner table!
    i Subscribe to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook
    i Like Sargento on Facebook

  17. Christine Mayfield says:

    My favorite Thanksgiving side recipe is collard greens that have been washed and torn, add 2 smoked ham hocks, a touch of salt and enough water to cover the greens. Cook the greens all day until dinner is ready.

  18. Christine Mayfield says:

    I am a FB subscriber

  19. Christine Mayfield says:

    I like Sargento Cheese on FB

  20. susitravl says:

    Crockpot Corn. Frozen corn, cream cheese, butter & a little sugar & salt. Cook in the crockpot on low for 3-4 hours. Super easy and DELICIOUS.

  21. Laura Scott says:

    I always insist we have Mashed Bourbon Sweet Potatoes. So delicious. Liked Sargento and already follow you 🙂

  22. Greg Allbee says:

    I love to do roasted Brussels sprouts with some shallot and garlic.

  23. Andrea Thompson says:

    A co-worker makes a corn casserole that I dream about all year.

  24. Karen D says:

    Favorite side, mashed potatoes made with freshly grated Parmesan cheese (my secret ingredient)

  25. Karen D says:

    Karen Goodwin Delaney subscribes to you on Facebook

  26. Karen D says:

    Karen Goodwin Delaney likes Sargento Cheese on Facebook

  27. Nicole C says:

    I used to love green bean casserole. Why, I have no idea. I can’t stand the sight of the stuff now…too much canned this and processed that. I also used to be so excited to be the one to slice the canned jellied cranberry sauce. Boy have my tasted changed since I was a kid. I love roasted carrots, parsnips and fennel, my husband’s cornbread, my mother-in-law’s stuffing, my mom’s mashed potatoes, and…well, it’s just too hard to pick a favorite now. I’ll definitely be trying this squash though – looks delicious! This Wisconsin girl sure does love her Sargento too!

  28. Nicole C says:

    I follow you on Facebook.

  29. Nicole C says:

    I like Sargento Cheese on Facebook too!

  30. Jacqui says:

    My favorite Thanksgiving side is definitely stuffing!! So delicious.

  31. Jacqui says:

    I am subscribed to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook

  32. Jacqui says:

    I also like Sargento on Facebook

  33. Karen Lynch says:

    A couple of years ago before I started following any bloggers, I looked up brining a turkey and came across the pioneer woman’s. I liked the idea of making my own and hers sounded so good. I still use it today.

    Ingredients
    3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
    2 gallons Cold Water
    4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
    5 cloves Garlic, Minced
    1-½ cup Kosher Salt
    2 cups Brown Sugar
    3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
    5 whole Bay Leaves
    Peel Of Three Large Oranges
    Preparation Instructions
    Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover.
    Allow to cool completely, then pour into a large brining bag or pot. Place uncooked turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours.
    When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside.
    Discard brine. Remove turkey from clean water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal roasting method.

    Make sure the turkey is not injected with a saline solution or your turkey will be too salty.

  34. Karen Lynch says:

    I subscribe on Facebook

  35. Karen Lynch says:

    I like Sargento on Facebook

  36. miranda says:

    like you on FB

  37. miranda says:

    like Sargento

  38. miranda says:

    I like to make a stuffing with Trader Joe’s corn bread mix

  39. gary says:

    FB follower of you

  40. gary says:

    I like making wasabi mashed potatoes

  41. gary says:

    follow Sargento

  42. Allison says:

    My favorite side is Cranberry Fluff – cranberries, sour cream, mini marshmallows, green apples. Sounds odd but is delicious!

  43. Allison says:

    I subscribe to Kelsey on Facebook!

  44. Wardell M says:

    My favorite thanksgiving recipe is cornbread stuffing.

  45. Wardell M says:

    I am a FB subscriber

  46. Wardell M says:

    I like Sargento on FB

  47. Alice says:

    I love stuffing. period. I love almost any stuffing and it’s my absolute favorite side and one I look forward to each year!

  48. Alice says:

    I like Sargento on FB

  49. Alice says:

    I follow you on FB

  50. Amy Adler Padilla says:

    My fav is my grandmother’s sweet potato casserole with Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Raisins, and Marshmallows! (I follow you on FB and just “liked” Sargento)

  51. bikeohio says:

    My favorite Thanksgiving side dish is something not very traditional. It’s simple… Buy some Korean rice cakes (not a rice “krispy” cake) and fry them in olive oil until lightly brown. As the rice cakes are frying, sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. You’ll thank me later!

  52. bikeohio says:

    I follow you on Facebook.

  53. bikeohio says:

    I like Sargento on Facebook.

  54. Dawn Monroe says:

    My favorite is home made stuffing and gravy.

  55. Noreen Davisson says:

    I’ve liked you on Facebook. We love (low carb) cauliflower rice pilaf.

  56. Elizabeth says:

    I love my mom’s cranberry salad!

  57. Elizabeth says:

    I’m subscribed to you on Facebook!

  58. Elizabeth says:

    I like Sargento on Facebook!

  59. AnnaZed says:

    I absolutely adore that creamy green bean casserole with the crispy onions on top thing!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  60. AnnaZed says:

    I subscribe to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook as Margot Core
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  61. AnnaZed says:

    I like Sargento on Facebook as Margot Core
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  62. Sarah Hawkins-Pinchers says:

    I subscribe to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook!

  63. Carla S says:

    My favorite Thanksgiving side recipe is Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese – I always add extra cheese and eggs to make it extra thick.

  64. Carla S says:

    I subscribed to Kelsey Banfield on Facebook. My username is Carla Shiver.

  65. Carla S says:

    I liked Sargento cheese on Facebook.My username is Carla Shiver.

  66. Erin says:

    Favorite Thanksgiving side has got to be the gravy which is probably considered more of a condiment?! Pour it over everything and it is heaven on a plate 🙂

  67. Erin says:

    Subscribed to Sargento Facebook page… Erin Schleigh Lewis

  68. Anne says:

    My favorite side dish for Thanksgiving is the dressing (formerly known
    as stuffing but now cooked in a casserole dish). My version is based
    loosely on what my dear mother used to make, and involves diced veggies
    and fruit (onion, celery, carrot, parsnip if I’ve got it, apple,
    mushroom) with chopped walnuts and raisins, all sauteed in butter then
    simmered with milk, seasoned with dried sage, thyme, and parsley (my mom
    used Bell’s Seasoning), salt and pepper, and mixed with dried bread
    cubes (preferably homemade). Time consuming, but so worth it!

  69. Anne says:

    I’m following Kelsey Banfield on Facebook.

  70. Anne says:

    I like Sargento Cheese on Facebook.