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Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole with wooden spoon.

Dinner | 01.08.21

Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole

This Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole is savory, spicy, wholesome, and perfect for a quick and easy dinner! Made with simple ingredients, this make-ahead meal can be made entirely in a casserole dish and is bursting with flavor. This is healthy comfort food that the entire family will love!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

As a busy mom of two boys, make-ahead meals that are healthy and easy to make are a staple. This Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole, also known as a Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole, is one of my favorites! Here’s what’s great about it:

  • It can be made ENTIRELY in one casserole dish (yay for easy cleanup!)
  • It’s made with frozen or pre-cut butternut squash to save time.
  • It’s so flavorful and delicious!
  • You can make it your own and freeze/refrigerate it for later.
  • This recipe can be made in just 35 minutes!

This is truly the ultimate healthy family meal!

Angled shot of Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole.

In this post

  • Ingredients
  • How to make a butternut squash casserole
    • Tips for making the BEST butternut squash casserole
  • More healthy casserole recipes
  • Make it your own
  • Can you freeze butternut squash casserole?
  • Healthy butternut squash recipes

Ingredients

I love that the ingredients for this recipe are SO simple and easy to find. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients for Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole.

Butternut Squash – Fresh, frozen, or pre-cut butternut squash all work great!

Bell Pepper – Chop or slice a bell pepper for yummy flavor and nutrition!

Black Beans – Pinto or red beans are also a great substitute.

Ground Beef – You can also use ground turkey or chickpeas for a protein options.

Shredded Cheese – The cheese in this recipe brings the butternut squash casserole together. So yummy!

Chopped Kale – I’m loving chopped kale in this recipe for added protein and a crunchy texture that takes it to the next level!

Spicy Southwest Seasoning – Paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper (optional) make up this savory and delicious seasoning.

TIP: Adjust the spicy level of this recipe by adding more (or less) crushed red pepper!

How to make a butternut squash casserole

This Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole tastes like an enchilada casserole and is incredibly easy to make! Here’s a quick overview of how to make it:

1. Combine the squash, bell pepper and oil in a casserole dish, then bake.

2. Add in the seasoning and mix.

  • Chopped peppers and frozen butternut squash in a casserole dish.
  • Seasoning added to butternut squash in a casserole dish.

3. Mix in the beans, ground beef, half of the cheese, and kale.

4. Top with remaining cheese and continue to bake!

  • Beans, kale, peppers, ground beef, and butternut squash in a casserole dish.
  • Uncooked butternut squash casserole topped with cheese.

Tips for making the BEST butternut squash casserole

  • Prep the ground beef ahead of time so that it’s ready to go!
  • Cook the butternut squash in the casserole dish just until soft, but not too soft (as it will continue to cook with the other ingredients).
  • Use pre-cut or frozen butternut squash to help save time.
Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole freshly out of the oven.

More healthy casserole recipes

  • Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
  • Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (Freezer Meal)
  • Chicken Fajita Casserole
  • Paleo Chicken Mushroom Casserole
  • Easy Turkey Rice Casserole

Make it your own

Want to make this recipe your own? Feel free to adjust the amount of seasoning and cheese to taste!

Another way to make it your own is to add or sub veggies. Zucchini, summer squash, sweet potatoes, sliced carrots, spinach, and cilantro are all delicious in this meal!

Top shot of Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole.

Can you freeze butternut squash casserole?

Yes! Butternut Squash Casserole can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.

To freeze, simply let the casserole completely cool and place in the refrigerator in an airtight container (without the lid) for an hour. Then close the lid and place in the freezer!

Close up of Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole.

If you’ve been on the search for an easy, healthy recipe that’s actually delicious and one that even picky eaters will love, then this Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole is for you. Have this delicious meal on the table in no time and be sure to save this recipe in your weekly dinner menu!

Healthy butternut squash recipes

  • Lightened-Up Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
  • Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash
  • Maple Butternut Squash Quinoa Breakfast Bake
  • Roasted Butternut Squash & Garlic Quinoa

Loving this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below!

Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole with wooden spoon.
4.92 from 25 votes
Print Recipe

Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole

This Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole is savory, spicy, wholesome, and perfect for a quick and easy dinner! Made with simple ingredients, this make-ahead meal can be made entirely in a casserole dish and is bursting with flavor. This is healthy comfort food that the entire family will love!
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 406 kcal
Author: Christine McMichael

Equipment

  • Casserole Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 lb frozen butternut squash, cubed (about 3-4 cups)
  • 1 large bell pepper (sliced or chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt/pepper (to taste)
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans (drained)
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place the squash and pepper in the casserole dish and drizzle with olive oil.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, or until squash just begins to soften.
  • Drain any extra liquid in the casserole dish.
  • Mix in the paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, black beans, cooked ground beef, half of the cheese, and kale to the casserole dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for another 10 minutes (or until everything is soft).
  • Top with crushed red pepper (optional).
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Prep the ground beef ahead of time so that it’s ready to go!
  • Cook the butternut squash in the casserole dish just until soft, but not too soft (as it will continue to cook with the other ingredients).
  • Use pre-cut or frozen butternut squash to help save time.
  • Adjust the spicy level of this recipe by adding more (or less) crushed red pepper!

Nutrition

Calories: 406 kcal | Carbohydrates: 35 g | Protein: 29 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 73 mg | Sodium: 238 mg | Potassium: 809 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 15521 IU | Vitamin C: 96 mg | Calcium: 236 mg | Iron: 3 mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @jar.of.lemons or tag #JarOfLemons!
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Rating




49 Comments

  1. Jacqueline Debono says:

    January 17, 2021 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    This butternut squash casserole looks fantastic. Definitely want to make it. Just one question. How do you cook the ground beef? I mean do you add something to it?

    Reply
    • Christine McMichael replied:

      January 19, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you! I just cook it on the stove top and add a little bit of seasoning. Salt, pepper, and oregano are always my go-to’s for meat seasoning, but paprika would also taste good. I hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says:

    January 15, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    5 stars
    What a great casserole recipe this is! We love Butternut squash and adding black beans to the casserole is a lovely idea. I skipped the beef and added more beans and it was the best ever.

    Reply
  3. Tammy says:

    January 15, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    Hearty and healthy- what more could you ask for?! Perfect winter side dish…this is beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Heather Perine says:

    January 13, 2021 at 10:48 am

    5 stars
    This was SO good! I used all black beans and omitted the beef – been on a plant based kick! Definitely making this again.

    Reply
  5. Julie says:

    January 13, 2021 at 8:14 am

    5 stars
    What a great recipe! I love the squash in this and the flavors came out great.

    Reply
  6. Candice says:

    January 12, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    Such a wonderfully creamy casserole! It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed butternut squash and this recipe has me in love with it once again. Will be making this one again!

    Reply
  7. Marta says:

    January 12, 2021 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    My friend just gifted me a butternut squash she grew in her garden, but I wanted to save it for a truly special recipe. This one is it!

    Reply
  8. Bernice Hill says:

    January 11, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    5 stars
    Yay for one dish lightened up comfort foods. I love how this casserole is the perfect mashup of comfort food and healthy dinner.

    Reply
  9. Deborah Brooks says:

    January 11, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    I have been eating a ton of butternut squash lately and this looks like a great way to eat even more. Can’t wait to try it

    Reply
  10. Shelley says:

    January 11, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    5 stars
    This is exactly my kinda recipe – so much I love here! It’s super easy and so healthy! And, as long as I already have the ground beef cooked, I can just throw it all int he casserole dish. Presto! A make-ahead meal with hardly any work – yay!

    Reply
  11. Laurel S. says:

    January 3, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    I made this tonight. I didn’t have kale, I used spinach. I also added some curry to the spice mix.
    My family loved it! I’ll make it again!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Denise says:

    January 4, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    4 stars
    Really yummy ice a jar of medium salsa was added to it before baking. Love it

    Reply
  13. Ashley says:

    December 4, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    Hi, excited to try this-does the squash need to be cooked beforehand? And does the dish need to be covered when baking?

    Reply
    • Christine McMichael replied:

      December 10, 2019 at 10:49 am

      Hi, Ashley! Yes, cook the squash for about 10 minutes in the casserole dish before adding in the rest of the ingredients. I would recommend covering the dish with foil, but it doesn’t have to be covered!

      Reply
  14. DESI says:

    November 24, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Does the cubed butternut squash need to be precooked or does it get cooked in the 25 minutes with everything else?

    Reply
    • Christine McMichael replied:

      December 10, 2019 at 10:46 am

      Yes, the butternut squash can be baked in the casserole dish for about 10 minutes before adding in the rest of the ingredients!

      Reply
  15. Lisa says:

    October 25, 2019 at 8:54 pm

    You have to cook the squash first. It doesn’t say that in the directions but it was good otherwise! Thanks

    Reply
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