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Autumn Butternut Squash + Italian Sausage Casserole

A cozy casserole combining the sweetness of butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, and creamy sauce, perfect for autumn meals.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Vegetables
  • 3 cups cubed butternut squash
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Meat and Sauce
  • 1.5-2 lbs ground Italian sausage
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 2 cups heavy cream
Cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for topping
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (can substitute with cheddar)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Grease the bottom of your 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. In the baking dish, toss together the cubed butternut squash, cauliflower florets, sliced shallots, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and some salt and pepper.
Baking and Cooking
  1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the vegetables for 30 minutes.
  2. While the vegetables are baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground Italian sausage. Cook it while breaking it up with a spoon until it turns brown and is no longer pink.
  3. Drain as much of the grease as you can.
  4. Pour in the dry white wine into the skillet with the sausage and allow it to cook down for about 3 minutes.
  5. Add the chopped sage, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper, cooking this mixture for an additional minute.
  6. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring as you go. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for two minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
Assembly
  1. Once vegetables have roasted for 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and pour the sausage and white wine sauce mixture over the roasted vegetables.
  2. Gently stir to combine everything, then sprinkle Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Final Baking
  1. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  2. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown.
  3. Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350°F.