A Family Favorite for Holiday Feasts and Fall Dinners

For many, holiday traditions revolve around the kitchen – the warmth of the oven, the shared laughter, and the beloved family recipes passed down through generations. While classic dishes hold a special place, there’s always room to introduce new favorites. This Butternut Squash Apple Bake quickly became a celebrated addition to our table a few years ago, and we’re thrilled to share an updated version of the recipe and photos with you.

This dish is truly a winner, guaranteed to impress your guests and bring a delightful touch to your festive spread. Imagine serving it alongside a succulent Herb Butter Roasted Turkey, a refreshing Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts, and creamy Gouda Smashed Potatoes. The sweet and savory profile of the bake perfectly complements richer main courses, offering a vibrant contrast.

If you appreciate the comforting taste of tender butternut squash and the delicate sweetness of cooked apples, then this side dish is designed for you. It’s an ode to autumn, bringing together iconic seasonal produce in a simple yet elegant preparation.

Fall is synonymous with apples for me. I love incorporating them into all kinds of recipes, from breakfast to dessert. Some of my personal favorites include these quick Easy Skillet Apples, fluffy Apple Pancakes, decadent Apple Bars with Pumpkin Pie Spice Icing, or this moist Zucchini Applesauce Bread. This Butternut Squash Apple Bake offers another fantastic way to enjoy apples during their peak season.

Essential Ingredients for Your Butternut Squash Apple Bake

You’ll be delighted by how simple these ingredients are, mostly consisting of everyday pantry staples. For precise measurements and step-by-step printable instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

• Apples: While I prefer using crisp, sweet Gala apples for their consistent texture and balanced sweetness in this recipe, feel free to experiment with your favorites. For a more tart profile that cuts through the sweetness of the squash, Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice. Honeycrisp or Fuji also work beautifully. Remember to peel and core your apples before dicing them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a smooth texture in the bake.
• Butternut Squash: The star of the show! Ensure your butternut squash is peeled and cubed into small, uniform pieces (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch). This uniform sizing is crucial for consistent tenderness. A time-saving tip, especially during busy holiday preparations, is to purchase pre-peeled and cubed butternut squash. Many grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s and Aldi, offer this convenient option. Look for squash that feels heavy for its size and has a firm, unblemished skin.
• Cinnamon and Brown Sugar: These two ingredients are the heart of those warm, inviting fall spices we all adore. Cinnamon adds a fragrant warmth, while brown sugar provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness that beautifully complements the squash and apples. If you’re looking to reduce refined sugar, natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup or honey can be substituted. I recommend stirring in 2 to 3 tablespoons after the initial cooking phase, tasting, and then adjusting to your desired sweetness level.
• Dried Cranberries & Raisins: These add delightful bursts of chewiness and concentrated sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor and texture. Their slight tartness also provides a lovely contrast to the squash and apples. Feel free to use a combination, or stick to one. For an adventurous twist, consider other dried fruits such as chopped prunes, dried apricots, or even dried cherries for a different flavor dimension.
• Pecans: Oh, the glorious crunch of pecans! They are, without a doubt, one of my favorite elements in this dish, adding a satisfying texture and a rich, buttery flavor. If pecans aren’t your preference, walnuts offer a similar earthy note, while slivered almonds provide a slightly milder crunch. To enhance their flavor, you can lightly toast the nuts before adding them to the bake.
• Unsalted Butter: Essential for richness and helping the ingredients caramelize slightly, lending a deeper flavor profile. Chopping the butter into small pieces helps it melt evenly throughout the bake.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Don’t underestimate the power of a pinch of salt to enhance all the sweet flavors and a dash of black pepper to add a subtle, intriguing warmth that balances the dish.

How to Make this Delicious Butternut Squash Apple Bake

Creating this flavorful bake is surprisingly straightforward, making it perfect for both experienced cooks and those new to holiday meal prep. Follow these simple steps for a truly comforting dish:

Step 1: Prepare and Combine Ingredients. Begin by preheating your oven to a comforting 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your peeled and cubed butternut squash, diced apples, fragrant cinnamon, a hint of vanilla, and the rich brown sugar. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring all the squash and apple pieces are beautifully coated with the spices and sweetener. Next, add the salt and black pepper, mixing again to distribute these essential flavor enhancers evenly. This initial coating sets the stage for the deep flavors to come.

Step 2: Transfer to Baking Dish. Pour the vibrant butternut squash and apple mixture into a baking dish. A dish with a lid is ideal, as it helps steam the squash and apples, ensuring they become perfectly tender. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish to allow for consistent cooking.

Step 3: Bake to Tender Perfection. Dot the top of the mixture with pieces of chopped butter. Cover the baking dish securely with its lid or aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. This initial covered bake allows the squash and apples to soften beautifully without drying out. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Stir in the dried raisins, cranberries, and pecans using tongs or a spoon, tossing everything together gently. Re-cover the dish and return it to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender when pierced with a fork and the edges are lightly browned, indicating a touch of caramelization. Remove from the oven, give it one final stir, and serve warm. The aroma filling your kitchen will be irresistible!

How to Make this Butternut Squash Apple Bake in the Crockpot

For a hands-off approach that’s perfect for busy days or when oven space is limited, this Butternut Squash Apple Bake can be easily adapted for your slow cooker. Simply add all of the prepared ingredients – the cubed butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar (or alternative sweetener), salt, pepper, butter, raisins, cranberries, and pecans – into your Crockpot. Cook on high for approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours, or on a low setting for about 3 hours. Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker and the size of your squash cubes, so be sure to check occasionally for the squash to become tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking. This method yields a wonderfully tender and flavorful dish with minimal effort.