Recipes › Butternut Squash (Pumpkin) › Butternut Squash Gratin
Butternut Squash Gratin
Thinly sliced butternut squash is layered with a savory cream sauce, Gruyère, and fresh thyme in this elegant gratin that makes a stunning centerpiece side dish for Thanksgiving or any autumn dinner. Each layer soaks up the cream as it bakes, creating a rich, cohesive dish with a golden, bubbling crust.
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Ingredients
- 2½ lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, thinly sliced (about 0.125-inch) on a mandoline
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups Gruyère cheese, shreddedSwiss or sharp cheddar
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, leaves only
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for the dish
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 0.13 tsp ground nutmeg
Contains: milk.
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together cream, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.About 5 min
- Arrange a third of the squash slices in slightly overlapping rows in the dish. Sprinkle with a third of the thyme and a third of the Gruyère. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Repeat for two more layers.About 15 min
- Pour the cream mixture evenly over the layered squash. Press down gently. Scatter Parmesan over the top. Cover tightly with foil.About 3 min
- Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes more until the top is golden brown and bubbling and a knife slides easily through the squash. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.About 55 min
Tips
- A mandoline makes quick work of slicing thin, even layers — use the hand guard.
- Don't skip resting the gratin — it sets up and is much easier to serve after 10 minutes.
- The gratin can be assembled 4 hours ahead and refrigerated, then baked from cold — add 10 minutes to the covered bake time.
Ring the changes
- Add a layer of caramelized onions between the squash for extra depth.
- Swap half the squash for thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes for a heartier gratin.
Keeping it
Keeps in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 20 minutes. Individual portions reheat well in a microwave.
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