The Best Creamy Butternut Squash Casserole

Hey there, foodies! If you're on the hunt for the ultimate seasonal dish that screams "Thanksgiving and Fall," look no further. We've whipped up a butternut squash casserole so creamy and versatile it can slide right into your dinner as a side dish or even steal the show as a dessert. You won't believe it is dairy-free while still decadent! 🍂

This sweet casserole can easily slide into your meal plan as a sumptuous side dish or even morph into a dessert with a delicious topping.

Our sweet potato crunch recipe and our pumpkin dairy-free overnight oats served as an inspiration to create it, and we've given it a unique twist to make it even more irresistible.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why you will love it
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💡 Expert tip
• 🥢 How to serve
• 📖 Variations
• ❓ FAQ
• 🥡 Storage
• 📚 More butternut squash recipes
• 🦃 💚 More Vegan Holiday Recipes
• 🎥 Video
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧾 Ingredients

This simple butternut squash recipe has only 8 staple Fall Season ingredients:

• Butternut Squash: The star of the show, it brings a natural sweetness and creaminess that's perfect for a cozy casserole. Plus, it's packed with vitamins A and C!
• Plant Milk: Adds a silky texture and helps blend the flavors together. We recommend soy, almond, or oat for the best results.
• Flax Meal: Acts as a vegan egg substitute, providing structure and binding the casserole ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Elevates the dish with a subtle aroma and a hint of sweetness, making it irresistibly fragrant.
• Brown Sugar: Offers a rich, molasses-like sweetness that complements the natural flavors of the squash.
• Vegan Butter: Use unsalted butter, it gives the casserole a buttery richness without the dairy or saturated fat. It also helps in creating that golden-brown crust.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth and spice, enhancing the fall vibes of the dish.
• Pecan Halves: These provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, making the topping absolutely irresistible.
• Nutmeg (Optional): A pinch can add an extra layer of complexity and warmth, but it's totally up to you!
• Vegan Marshmallows (Optional): For those who want a little extra sweetness and a classic, gooey topping. Perfect for dessert mode!

See the recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

• Butternut Squash: If you're out of butternut squash or just want to switch things up, feel free to use sweet potatoes, acorn squash, or even pumpkin. They all bring their own unique flair to the dish. Using frozen? See our FAQ's below.
• Flax Meal: No flax meal? Chia seeds can also work as a binding agent when mixed with plant milk.
• Plant Milk: Any dairy-free milk like almond, oat, or soy can be used. Choose your fave!
• Brown Sugar: Maple syrup or coconut sugar are great alternatives if you want to keep it refined sugar-free.
• Vegan Butter: Coconut oil can be a good substitute, but keep in mind it will add a coconutty flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Allspice or nutmeg can be used for a different spice profile, but cinnamon is a classic for a reason. You can also use our 5-minute homemade pumpkin spice mix; the same we use for pumpkin pie and pumpkin latte, pumpkin pancakes, and granola.
• Pecan Halves: Not a fan of pecans? Try candied walnuts or a marshmallow topping for a gooey, sweet alternative. Just make sure they're vegan marshmallows!
• Nutmeg: A pinch of allspice or cinnamon can fill in for nutmeg if you're out.
• Vanilla extract substitute: almond extract works well.

🍽 Equipment

• Baking Dish: This is where the magic happens! You'll need a baking dish to hold your squash mixture and to ensure it bakes evenly. It's also what makes this dish a casserole, so it's non-negotiable.
• Large Mixing Bowl: You'll be mixing quite a few ingredients together, from the squash to the flax meal and milk mix and spices. A large bowl gives you the space to stir without making a mess.
• Steamer: If you're short on time or just prefer steamed squash, a steamer is your best friend. It cooks the squash quickly and retains its nutrients, making it a great alternative to baking.
• Ramekins: Perfect for making individual portions. These are a great option if you're thinking of serving the casserole as a dessert or even a fancy breakfast treat.

🔪 Instructions

Preheat that Oven: Get your oven warmed to 350°F (190°C). It's showtime!

Step 1: Halve that whole squash using a sharp knife and scoop out the seeds; save them for a crunchy snack later.

Hint: You'll need some cooked butternut squash for this dish. Roasting it whole in the oven is my go-to method; it's super easy and really amps up the flavor. But if you're short on time, feel free to use pre-cut squash cubes and either roast or boil them and reduce the time for more complex recipes like a vegan butternut squash lasagna.

Pro Tip: Want to make life easier? Use canned pumpkin.

Step 14: Slide the dish back into the oven for another 15-minute stint. Once it's out, give it a good 15 minutes to chill before diving in.

🥢 How to serve

I love even having a warm portion for breakfast with a nice cup of golden milk.

Thanksgiving Showstopper: Place this beauty at the center of your Thanksgiving table surrounded by other plant-based delights such as corn bread, vegan chili, and spiced cranberry sauce. Trust us, even your non-vegan Aunt Karen will be asking for seconds.

Ramekin Chic: Want to impress your guests or just feel fancy? Serve the casserole in individual ramekins. It's like giving everyone their own little pot of gold.

Dessert Twist: If you're in the mood for something sweet, serve this casserole as a dessert. A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream on top takes it to a whole new level of yum.

📖 Variations

• Sweet potato casserole: Follow the same procedure and change the butternut squash for sweet potatoes. You can leave all other variables untouched, change vegan butter for coconut oil (we love this mix from our mashed sweet potatoes recipe), or change pecan nuts for walnuts.
• Tropical Vibes: Mix in some shredded coconut and a splash of coconut milk for a tropical take on this classic. Top with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for that extra oomph. You can also add some lemon or orange zest to the batter for a citrus note.
• Chocolatey Decadence: Add vegan chocolate chips to the mixture and top with a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce for a dessert version. It's like a butternut squash brownie but better!

❓ FAQ

🥡 Storage

• Fridge & Reheating: Got leftovers? No worries! Store your casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready to reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until it's warmed through.
  • Also, you can make it even simpler: use the same baking dish you cooked the casserole in and cover it with cling paper. This helps prevent oxidation and keeps it fresh. When you're ready to dig in again, you can serve it at room temperature or give it a quick warm-up. Easy peasy!
• Freezing & Reheating: If you want to make this dish in advance or save some for later, you can totally freeze casserole. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes.
• Meal Prep: If you're all about that meal prep life, you can make the squash mixture and pecan topping separately and store them in the fridge. When you're ready to assemble, layer them in your baking dish and bake as directed. It's a real time-saver!

📚 More butternut squash recipes

Give our butternut squash risotto, DIY ravioli, roasted sides, and squash-infused pasta sauce a whirl as a tasty alternative to your usual mac 'n' cheese.

🦃 💚 More Vegan Holiday Recipes

⭐ If you try this casserole recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

🎥 Video

📋 Recipe