Description
Roasted Butternut Squash & Feta Layered Bake is a comforting, colourful dish featuring tender roasted butternut squash layered with creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, chewy dried cranberries, and a delicate drizzle of honey.
Ingredients
1 large butternut squash (about 2 1/2–3 lb / 1.1–1.4 kg), peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups (225 g) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup (60 g) walnuts, roughly chopped
1/3 cup (50 g) dried cranberries
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Fresh rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish with a little olive oil, making sure the bottom and sides are coated.
2. Peel and seed the butternut squash, then carefully slice it into thin, even pieces about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Similar-sized slices will cook more evenly and make the layers easier to arrange.
3. Place the squash slices in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently until all the slices are evenly coated.
4. Arrange a layer of seasoned butternut squash slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Slightly overlap the slices so there are no large gaps between them.
5. Sprinkle a portion of the crumbled feta, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries evenly over the squash layer. Distribute the ingredients across the entire surface so every serving gets a little of everything.
6. Repeat the layers of butternut squash, feta, walnuts, and dried cranberries until all the ingredients have been used. Finish with a generous layer of feta and walnuts on top.
7. Drizzle the honey evenly over the top of the layered bake. The gentle sweetness of the honey complements the naturally sweet squash while balancing the salty feta.
8. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, until the squash is completely tender and the edges are golden and caramelized.
9. Remove the bake from the oven and sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the top. The fresh herbs add colour and a bright finishing flavour.
10. Allow the layered bake to rest for 8–10 minutes before serving. This gives the layers a chance to settle while keeping the squash warm and tender.
11. Finish with fresh rosemary and, if desired, a few extra dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. Serve warm as a festive side dish or vegetarian main course.
Notes
Slice the squash evenly and keep the pieces around 1/4 inch thick so they cook at the same rate.
Don’t make the squash slices too thick, as thinner pieces become tender without requiring an excessively long baking time.
Distribute the feta evenly throughout the layers so every serving has a good balance of creamy cheese and roasted squash.
Toast the walnuts beforehand for an even more pronounced nutty flavour and crunch.
Cover the baking dish during the first stage of baking so the squash can steam and become tender before the uncovered stage develops golden edges.
Drizzle the honey evenly over the top rather than concentrating it in one area to prevent excessive browning.
Let the bake rest for 8–10 minutes before serving so the layers can settle and become easier to portion.
Pre-cut butternut squash can be used to save preparation time. Slice thicker or irregular pieces into thinner, even pieces before layering.
Goat cheese can be substituted for feta for a softer, tangier flavour, while crumbled blue cheese provides a stronger savoury contrast.
The dish can be assembled ahead of time, covered, and refrigerated until ready to bake. Let it sit briefly at room temperature before baking and adjust the cooking time if needed.
Pecans can be substituted for walnuts for a slightly sweeter, buttery crunch.
Fresh thyme or rosemary can be added between the layers, but use a moderate amount so the herbs don’t overpower the squash and feta.
Serve with roasted chicken, turkey, pork, grilled meats, a crisp green salad, roasted chickpeas, quinoa, or warm crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean