This butternut squash quinoa casserole with chicken combines quinoa, squash soup, chicken sausage, and cheese for a super delicious and comforting meal. Made all in one casserole dish, it’s the perfect weeknight standby that the whole family will devour.
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This butternut squash and chicken sausage quinoa casserole is an ode to old-school Fit Foodie Finds. Back in the day, we used to be an overnight oats and quinoa casserole site. Not actually, but those are the only types of We were obsessed with the ease, flavors, and one-pot wonders.
To make things super easy and convenient, everything is made all in one casserole dish. And, unlike other recipes out there, we use butternut squash soup instead of raw squash. Just mix everything in their respective order, bake, and broil the cheese. It’s an excellent way to enjoy delicious comfort food while still keeping things healthy.
What You Need for Butternut Squash Casserole
- White quinoa: white quinoa is known for its delicate taste and light texture.
- Creamy butternut squash soup: we tested this recipe with both Imagine and Pacific Foods brands for the soup.
- Cooked chicken sausage links: make sure that your chicken is cooked before starting the recipe.
- Fresh thyme: this herb really enhances the flavor of the butternut squash and chicken.
- Shredded white cheddar cheese: cheese adds some extra flavor and deliciousness.
- Casserole dish: make sure you have a large casserole dish for this recipe. This will ensure everything cooks evenly.
Our Favorite
Casserole Dish
We love this le creuset casserole dish because it is oven safe AND has a cover. It is the perfect casserole dish for this baked one pot pasta dish!
Variations and Substitutions
Quinoa: We love the taste and texture of white quinoa for this recipe, but you’re welcome to use red quinoa, rainbow quinoa, or whatever quinoa mixture you’d like.
Soup: Any brand of butternut squash soup will work. The flavor of the casserole will vary greatly based on what soup is used.
Protein: Other great protein options include ground chicken, ground turkey, or turkey sausage.
Herbs: If you don’t have fresh thyme, 2 teaspoons of dried thyme can be used as a substitute.
Cheese: Swap out the shredded white cheddar cheese with feta cheese, gruyere cheese, or your favorite vegan cheese!
Make it spicy: If you want a little kick to the casserole add ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper in step #2.
FAQ
How do you keep squash casserole from getting watery?
To avoid a watery butternut squash casserole, it is important to remove the moisture from the squash before baking. This only applies if you are using raw butternut squash.
Start by slicing the squash into cubes and adding salt. Let the cubed squash rest on a paper towel-lined baking sheet for about 30 minutes. The salt will draw out some of its water, and you can use the paper towel to dab off any excess moisture before you add it to the casserole.
Can I make this butternut squash quinoa casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Just simply prepare the entire dish up to the point of baking, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator and bake!
Storage + Freezer Directions
Store any leftover butternut squash quinoa casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze, place your casserole in a freezer-safe, airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Other Fall Casseroles You’ll Love
Can’t get enough of easy, breezy fall casseroles? Any of the following delicious dinners are worthy of adding to your weekly rotation. They’re full of comforting fall flavors that’ll leave you delightfully satisfied.
