Savory Butternut Squash & Apple Harmony Bake
This Savory Butternut Squash & Apple Harmony Bake is a delightful, wholesome dish that blends the earthy sweetness of butternut squash with the bright, crisp flavor of apples. Inspired by a beloved Weight Watchers recipe, this casserole is light yet satisfying, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner or as a unique side dish for gatherings. The gentle warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg complements the natural sweetness, while the crunchy topping adds texture without being overwhelming. Whether served on its own, over a scoop of ice cream for a decadent dessert, or topped with a crumble, this dish is sure to impress without adding heavy calories—each serving contains only 2 points! Prepare to enjoy this nutritious and delicious dish that captures the essence of autumn in every bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
butternut squash
2 cups (cubed into bite-size pieces or 20 ounces precut squash)
large apples
2 (peeled, cored, and sliced)
Splenda brown sugar blend
1/4 cup
cold light margarine
1/4 cup
flour
1 tablespoon
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon
salt
1 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13 baking dish by lightly greasing it.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash and sliced apples, tossing them together to ensure even distribution.
3
In a separate bowl, mix the Splenda brown sugar blend, cold light margarine, flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg together. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until the mixture is crumbly, ensuring there are no large chunks of margarine.
4
Evenly sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the butternut squash and apple combination in the baking dish.
5
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the squash is tender. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the topping to crisp up slightly.
6
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Butternut Squash & Apple Harmony Bake?
It is a wholesome dish that blends the earthy sweetness of butternut squash with the crisp flavor of apples, topped with a warm spiced crumble.
Is this recipe weight-loss friendly?
Yes, it is inspired by a Weight Watchers recipe and contains only 2 points per serving.
What are the main ingredients for the squash and apple mixture?
The main ingredients are 2 cups of cubed butternut squash and 2 large peeled, cored, and sliced apples.
Can I use pre-cut squash for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 20 ounces of precut butternut squash instead of cubing it yourself.
What spices are included in the dish?
The recipe uses cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to complement the natural sweetness of the squash and apples.
What sweetener is used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of Splenda brown sugar blend.
How do I prepare the topping?
Mix the Splenda brown sugar blend, cold light margarine, flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.
What type of margarine should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of cold light margarine.
What size baking dish is required?
You should use a 9x13 baking dish for this recipe.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the 9x13 baking dish should be lightly greased before adding the ingredients.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the dish need to bake?
The bake time is 45-50 minutes in total, or until the squash is tender.
Should I cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for most of the baking process.
When should I remove the aluminum foil?
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the topping to crisp up slightly.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the Savory Butternut Squash & Apple Harmony Bake is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
Can this be served as a dessert?
Yes, it can be served over a scoop of ice cream for a decadent yet light dessert.
How should the squash be prepared?
The butternut squash should be cubed into bite-size pieces.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced.
What is the texture of the finished topping?
The topping is crumbly and slightly crisp, adding texture without being overwhelming.
Can I serve this as a side dish?
Yes, it is perfect as a unique side dish for gatherings or a cozy family dinner.
How much flour is needed for the crumble?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of flour.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How much nutmeg is used?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1 teaspoon of salt.
What is the primary flavor profile of this bake?
It features an earthy sweetness from the squash and apples, enhanced by warm autumn spices.
Should I cool the dish before serving?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven to let the flavors settle.
Is this a seasonal recipe?
While it can be enjoyed year-round, it specifically captures the essence of autumn flavors.
Should there be large chunks of margarine in the topping?
No, you should blend the mixture until there are no large chunks of margarine remaining.
How do I ensure even distribution of the fruit and vegetables?
Toss the cubed squash and sliced apples together in a large mixing bowl before adding them to the baking dish.
Can I add other toppings to this dish?
Yes, the description suggests it can be topped with an additional crumble if desired.