Hearty Autumn Casserole with Squash and Sausage

Seasonal squash casserole with sausage and root vegetables.

This makes a great side dish, or hearty lunch full of flavour with vegetables and turkey sausage. I hope you enjoy this seasonal dish! 

Shop the options

lasagna dish filled with squash casserole.
Acorn and butternut squash and sausage casserole with wooden spoons in dish to serve
Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 38 mins Total Time 43 mins
Cooking Temp: 425  °F Servings: 6
Best Season: Fall, Winter

Description

To keep this lean, use either chicken sausage or turkey sausage. If you want this to be fully vegetarian, you can use your favourite plant-based sausage. Where there are fresh herbs, make sure to use them. 

Ingredients

Prep

  1. Special equipment & tools: Cooking spray, greaseproof paper/baking parchment, two baking trays, Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangle Baker or lasagne baking dish, pastry brush, and 10-inch (25cm) large nonstick skillet. 

    1. Use cooking spray to generously oil the inside of the Emile Henry ModernClassics Rectangle Baker baking dish, making sure to get the sides as well. 
    2. Line two baking trays with baking parchment or greaseproof paper.

Method:

    1. Preheat the oven to 425° F/ 225°C
    2. In a small condiment dish, add the salt and black pepper, and mix together.
    3. Place the squash on a baking tray and place the Brussels sprouts on the second baking tray. Use a pastry brush to brush 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil on the squash and on the Brussels sprouts. Use ½ teaspoon of the salt and pepper blend, sprinkling it over the squash and Brussels sprouts. Bake both trays in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, stirring the vegetables with a spoon at the halfway point.  
    4. Whilst the veggies are baking, in a large 10-inch (25cm) skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes or until they become translucent, then add the garlic until fragrant (20-30 seconds). Now, add the sausage pieces and cook until the outside of the sausage has browned.  
    5. Now add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, then add the cauliflower rice, cinnamon, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and pepper blend. Use a wooden spoon to stir together. Cook until the cauliflower rice becomes slightly tender. Now, add the dried parsley, fresh rosemary, fresh sage, cranberries, and pecans, stirring with a wooden spoon and folding in evenly. Remove the skillet from the heat. 
    6. Assembling the dish: Combine the squash and the Brussels sprouts together in one tray. Now, add half of the tray of vegetables to the prepared baking dish, then spoon in half of the cauliflower sausage mixture over the vegetables.
    7. Add the remaining vegetables to the baking dish, then layer with the remaining cauliflower sausage mixture on top. Make sure to evenly distribute the mixture, and not to press down on the mixture. Drizzle the remaining 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil over the entire mixture, then add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup over the entire casserole. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the top has browned and crisp. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chopped pistachios on top of the dish. 
    8. Serve hot and garnish with fresh herbs: flat leaf parsley and/or coriander sprigs. Enjoy! 
Keywords: fall dinner ideas, autumn, squash recipes, casseroles, squash casserole, sausage casserole

FAQs

Expand All:
Can I use any other sausage?

Yes, you can try Italian sausage, plant-based sausage, or any breakfast sausuage that you prefer as an alternative. If you like spice, try a slightly spicy sausage.

Note: Try to stay away from overly seasoned sausages, as the sodium will be higher, changing the flavour of this sweet and savoury casserole.

What if I don't have acorn squash?

You may use any hearty squash for this casserole. A combination of at least two is preferred. The following will squash varieties will work well: butternut, pumpkin, acorn, or buttercup. 

Get inspired and read this post on other seasonal squash to love.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Whilst this recipe is gluten-free, it will depend on the quality of ingredients that you use, (i.e., the type of sausages that you use, and the brand of cinnamon). I have made this recipe with gluten-free sausages, and plant-based sausages before for gluten-intolerant and vegetarian guests, and it still works!

Did you make this recipe?

Madison B. Siobhan

of FASHION TALES

Madison is an avid cook. She is a recipe developer, commercial photographer, and food writer. She has worked as a food stylist and as a wellness writer. Find food and entertaining inspiration throughout the pages of this blog and in her newsletters.

class="delicious-recipes single-recipe">
share on

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *