This Golden Squash Gratin is your go-to for a cozy, comforting dish that makes the most of seasonal butternut squash. With its creamy, cheesy layers, it's a showstopper at family dinners or as a side dish for special occasions.
The star here is the butternut squash, offering a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with cream and cheese. Heavy cream provides the rich base, while Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, savory note. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, creating that irresistible gooey layer. Garlic infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic depth, and fresh thyme adds a subtle earthiness. Finally, a touch of salt and black pepper brings out all the flavors.
This gratin pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gets it toasty and ready for our gratin. While the oven does its thing, grab a large bowl and toss the sliced butternut squash with a sprinkle of salt, a dash of pepper, and those two cloves of minced garlic. The garlic will start working its magic, infusing the squash with a lovely aroma.
Next, butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. This will prevent sticking and add a touch of flavor to the base. Layer half of your seasoned squash in the dish evenly. We want every bite to have a bit of everything, right?
Now, pour half of the heavy cream over this layer. It should soak in nicely, setting up the squash for that creamy goodness. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan and mozzarella on top. This is where the magic starts — cheese makes everything better!
Add the second layer of squash, then repeat the cream and cheese process. By now, your dish should be looking pretty tempting. Scatter the fresh thyme over the top, then cover the whole thing with foil.
Into the oven it goes for 30 minutes. This first bake gets everything tender. After 30 minutes, remove the foil. This is where it gets exciting — bake for another 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to settle in.
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