Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole

Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole with caramelized onions and a buttery cracker crust is a fall recipe that’s absolutely incredible! It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, yet so good you’ll want to make it all year long.

Serve it with Air Fryer Roasted Chicken and Crispy Green Beans, and you’ll have a delicious, wholesome meal your friends and family will love.

Brown butter butternut squash topped with crackers and baked in a white rectangle baking dish resting on a woven mat.

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5-Star Reader Comment

Very easy to make and delicious. New Thanksgiving side dish for sure. Thank you!
Kathie

Full disclosure: this casserole is so good that it might just take center stage among all the sides at Thanksgiving. Everyone knows that the turkey or the honey-baked ham is not the star of that food-centric holiday because it’s all about the side dishes!

Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole is a wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving Day menu. I”ve combined the browned butter, squash, and onions, then added in my own touches of dried thyme and a Ritz cracker topping. After baking the casserole for an hour, my house was filled with a mouthwatering aroma that assured me this was going to be one special side dish.

Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole Ingredients

Butternut squash, butter crackers, whole onion, butter, black peppr, dried thyme and salt in glass container on a wooden counter.

Even though this recipe has just seven ingredients, they fit together perfectly and make a flavor-loaded dish.

Brown butter – with a little patience, making browned butter is easy and adds a rich, deep taste to the casserole.
For the casserole – onion, butternut squash, Ritz crackers.
The seasoning – dried thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and measurements.

Variations And Additions

For sweetness, add maple syrup or honey and toss in with the onions and squash.
Cinnamon and nutmeg bring great, warm flavor.
Add grated Parmesan cheese to the butter cracker topping for extra savoriness.

Photo 1 with chunks of butternut squash topped with salt, pepper, dried thyme and onion in a white baing dish and photo 2 butternut squash topped with crushed crackers in a white baking dish.

How To Make Butternut Squash Casserole

Place the squash (cut into about 1-inch cubes) into a 9″ deep-dish pie pan or 8×8 casserole dish. Next, melt a tablespoon of butter in a medium-sized skillet. Add onions and cook on medium-low heat until golden brown. Add the onions to the squash. Make the brown butter, and pour it over the butternut squash and onions, then toss. Sprinkle on thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and bake for 50 minutes.
Crush a sleeve of Ritz butter crackers. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the crackers over the top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and cook until the crackers are golden brown. Let casserole cool for 5 minutes and serve!

How To Make Brown Butter

Add butter to a skillet, and cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it begins to brown. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes. The butter will foam and separate, so be careful to watch it. It should brown, not burn. If it does burn, you’ll need to start over.

Recipe Questions And Answers

How do I cut a butternut squash?

Cutting this hard, dense vegetable can be challenging, so take your time. First, use a sharp knife and cut off the ends. Next, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Stand the squash upright and cut all the way through, from top to bottom. Lastly, scrape out the seeds, then cut the squash into chunks.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yep, you sure can. Make the casserole, bake, and cool. Cover and store in the fridge. Add the cracker topping to serve, and bake until heated through and the topping is golden brown.

How do I store leftovers?

Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place the leftovers in an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, reheat in the oven or microwave.

Brown butter butternut squash topped with crackers and baked in a white rectangle baking dish served with a wooden spoon.

Craving More? Try These Side Dish Recipes

If you tried this Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!