Creamy Thyme-Infused Scalloped Butternut Squash
Elevate your holiday table with this delightful scalloped butternut squash dish. Rich and creamy, this recipe features thinly sliced butternut squash layered with melty oka or cheddar cheese, and infused with fresh thyme for a fragrant touch. Perfect for holiday feasts, this dish can easily be adapted to your taste—try it with acorn squash or add layers of thinly sliced onions and garlic for an extra depth of flavor. Indulge in this luscious side dish that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (rounded)
Butternut Squash
5 1/2 - 6 lbs (peeled and very thinly sliced)
Oka Cheese or Mild Cheddar Cheese
5 ounces (1 1/3 cups) (rind discarded and cheese coarsely grated)
Heavy Cream
1 1/2 cups (none)
Fresh Thyme
3 sprigs (none)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, placing the oven rack in the lower third to ensure even cooking.
2
2. Generously butter a 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish (3-quart capacity) to prevent sticking.
3
3. Cut off the necks of the butternut squash, reserving them for another recipe. Peel the squash and slice it very thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife.
4
4. In the prepared baking dish, layer one-third of the squash slices, overlapping them slightly. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, then add half of the grated cheese. Repeat this layering process until all the squash, salt, pepper, and cheese are used, making sure to top the final layer of squash with salt and pepper but leaving the top layer cheese-less.
5
5. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream and fresh thyme sprigs to a gentle simmer over moderate heat. Once simmering, remove from heat, discard the thyme, and evenly pour the cream over the layered squash in your baking dish.
6
6. Cover the dish with a sheet of parchment paper, making a few slits in it with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking.
7
7. Bake the squash for approximately 45 minutes or until it's tender when pierced with a fork.
8
8. After baking, carefully remove the parchment paper and let the dish stand for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
22.75g
Fat
18.75g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Thyme-Infused Scalloped Butternut Squash?
It is a rich and creamy side dish featuring thinly sliced butternut squash layered with melted cheese and infused with fresh thyme.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using Oka cheese or a mild cheddar cheese.
Can I substitute the butternut squash with another vegetable?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe by using acorn squash instead of butternut squash.
How should I prepare the butternut squash?
Peel the squash and slice it very thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife, reserving the necks for another recipe.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F.
Where should the oven rack be placed?
Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven to ensure even cooking.
What type of baking dish is best?
A 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish with a 3-quart capacity is recommended.
How do I prevent the squash from sticking to the dish?
Generously butter the glass baking dish before adding the layers of squash.
How many layers should I make?
The squash and cheese should be divided into three layers of squash and two layers of cheese.
Does the top layer have cheese?
No, the final top layer of squash should be seasoned with salt and pepper but left without cheese.
How is the cream sauce prepared?
Bring heavy cream and fresh thyme sprigs to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and discard the thyme before pouring over the squash.
What is the purpose of the parchment paper?
Covering the dish with parchment paper helps the squash steam and cook through; slits allow some moisture to escape.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the squash for approximately 45 minutes.
How can I tell if the scalloped squash is done?
The dish is done when the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
Why should the dish stand for 10 minutes after baking?
Letting it stand allows the flavors to meld and the creamy sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
Can I add other flavors to this recipe?
Yes, you can add layers of thinly sliced onions and garlic for extra depth of flavor.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content of this dish?
There is approximately 22.75g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains 18.75g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content?
This dish provides 7.5g of protein per serving.
How much butternut squash do I need to buy?
You will need between 5 1/2 to 6 pounds of butternut squash.
How much cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 5 ounces or approximately 1 1/3 cups of grated cheese.
How much heavy cream is used?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream.
Can I use dried thyme?
The recipe specifies 3 sprigs of fresh thyme for the best infusion of flavor.
What is the salt and pepper measurement?
Use 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of rounded black pepper.
Is this dish suitable for a holiday meal?
Yes, it is specifically described as a delightful side dish to elevate your holiday table.
Should I peel the squash?
Yes, the squash should be peeled before being thinly sliced.
What should I do with the cheese rind?
The rind should be discarded before coarsely grating the cheese.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: salt, pepper, butternut squash, cheese, heavy cream, and fresh thyme.
Is the squash layered or tossed?
The squash is layered, with each slice slightly overlapping the next.