- This simple casserole is creamy and features flavorful ingredients typically found in “marry me” recipes.
- The butternut squash, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes provide antioxidants.
- This casserole is perfect for a holiday gathering.
Our Marry Me Butternut Squash Casserole gives you all of the “marry me” flavors you love in a plant-forward casserole. Layers of antioxidant-rich butternut squash are nestled into a garlicky sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Italian spices, thyme and earthy bay leaves infuse the sauce with big flavor. It’s finished with perfectly melted bone-strengthening mozzarella cheese and topped with bright, fresh basil. Keep reading for our expert tips on time-savers, ingredient substitutions and more.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Tools that can be helpful in the prep work include a mandoline for easily slicing the butternut squash and a microplane for finely grating the garlic, which ensures it distributes evenly in the cream.
- You can substitute the squash with Yukon Gold potatoes and replace the shredded mozzarella with an Italian cheese blend.
- Thoroughly drain the sun-dried tomatoes. Excess oil from the tomatoes can make the casserole greasy.
Nutrition Notes
- Butternut squash is the star of this dish and is packed with vitamins and minerals. The orange color tells us that it is high in beta-carotene, a nutrient that is important for fighting inflammation and also is converted to vitamin A to aid in immunity. Butternut squash also contains fiber for digestive health and to support a healthy microbiome.
- Garlic is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and has been studied for its role in lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. One important compound in garlic, allicin, is activated when garlic is crushed or cut, so it’s better to chop your garlic before consuming.
- Sun-dried tomatoes concentrate the nutrients in tomatoes, as the water is removed. These types of tomatoes are high in a compound called lycopene, which can help reduce inflammation that contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
