Crafting Your Creamy Butternut Squash Ravioli Bake: A Simple Guide

Creating this delicious butternut squash ravioli bake is surprisingly simple, making it accessible even for novice cooks. Follow these straightforward steps to prepare a hearty and flavorful meal that everyone will adore:

1. Prepare the Butternut Squash: Begin by peeling and dicing your butternut squash into 1-inch pieces. These will then be boiled until they are fork-tender, ensuring a smooth and creamy puree. After boiling, drain the squash and allow it to cool slightly before pureeing it until silky smooth. This step can easily be done in advance to save time.
2. Cook the Turkey Bacon: In a large frying pan, cook your turkey bacon until it reaches your desired crispness. Once cooked, remove it from the pan, let it cool, and then chop it into small, bite-sized pieces. This adds a wonderful smoky and salty contrast to the sweet squash.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Using the same frying pan (to leverage any residual flavors), add olive oil and then sauté your Brussels sprouts, yellow onion, minced garlic, and fresh sage until they are tender-crisp. This step builds a foundational layer of aromatic flavors and textures.
4. Create the Butternut Squash Sauce: While the vegetables are sautéing, combine the butternut squash puree and milk in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well-seasoned. The parmesan cheese helps emulsify the sauce, creating that indulgent texture.
5. Assemble and Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch oven-safe dish. Spread an even layer of your store-bought ravioli across the bottom. Next, layer the cooked turkey bacon and the sautéed Brussels sprout mixture over the ravioli. Pour the rich butternut squash sauce evenly over everything, ensuring all the ingredients are well coated. Finally, sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Once golden brown and bubbling, remove the butternut squash ravioli bake from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny. Serve warm and savor every comforting bite!

Key Ingredients and Smart Substitutions for Your Ravioli Bake

This Butternut Squash Ravioli Bake is versatile, and many ingredients can be swapped to suit your pantry or dietary preferences. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and how to make smart substitutions:

• Turkey Bacon: We opt for turkey bacon to keep this dish a bit lighter, offering a delicious smoky flavor without excess calories. However, if you prefer, regular pork bacon can certainly be used for a more classic taste. For a vegetarian option, consider crispy smoked tofu or even a plant-based bacon alternative.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing, olive oil provides a subtle fruity note. Any other neutral-flavored oil such as avocado oil, canola oil, or even vegetable oil would work perfectly as a substitute.
• Brussels Sprouts: These add a lovely crunch and a touch of bitterness that balances the sweetness of the squash. If Brussels sprouts aren’t your favorite or you don’t have them on hand, feel free to use other quick-cooking vegetables. Fresh spinach, kale, asparagus, or even diced zucchini would be excellent additions.
• Yellow Onion: A staple in many savory dishes, yellow onion provides a sweet and pungent base. A white onion can be used in its place if that’s what you have. For a milder flavor, you could even use shallots.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic offers the best, most robust flavor, but jarred minced garlic is a convenient alternative when time is short. Be mindful that jarred garlic might have a slightly milder taste, so you might add a little extra.
• Fresh Sage: Sage is a classic pairing with butternut squash, providing an earthy, aromatic quality. If fresh sage is unavailable, half a teaspoon of dried sage can be substituted for the quarter cup of fresh. Rosemary and thyme are also fantastic herbs that complement the flavors of this dish beautifully.
• Store-Bought Ravioli: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, thanks to store-bought ravioli. While I often use Oliveri broccoli and cheese ravioli, any type of ravioli will work! Whether it’s cheese, spinach, mushroom, or another butternut squash filling, choose your favorite. Both fresh and frozen ravioli can be used directly without pre-boiling, saving you a step.
• Butternut Squash Puree: This forms the creamy base of our sauce. If you’re short on time or fresh butternut squash isn’t in season, canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) is an excellent, readily available alternative that offers a similar texture and sweetness.
• Milk: For the creamiest sauce, 2% or whole milk is recommended. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk can be used. Just be aware that these alternatives might slightly alter the final flavor profile of the sauce.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a sharp, salty depth and helps create the rich, creamy consistency of the sauce. Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese are excellent substitutions if you prefer a different Italian cheese flavor. Some cheese is crucial for the sauce’s texture, so avoid omitting it entirely unless making specific vegan adjustments.
• Mozzarella Cheese: This is for the glorious, bubbly topping! If you’re not a fan of mozzarella, an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese can be used instead, or you can omit the top layer of cheese altogether for a lighter finish.
• Salt & Pepper: Always season to taste. These essential seasonings enhance all the other flavors in the dish.

Perfect Sauces for Butternut Squash Ravioli

The inherent sweetness and earthy notes of butternut squash ravioli pair beautifully with a variety of sauces. While this recipe features a decadent homemade butternut squash sauce, you’re not limited to just one option. Consider a vibrant red pepper cream sauce for a smoky, slightly tangy kick, or a classic brown butter and sage sauce, which highlights the herbaceous qualities that complement the squash so well. Each sauce brings its own unique character, allowing you to customize your meal to your mood.

What to Serve Alongside Your Butternut Squash Ravioli Bake

Given the richness and heartiness of this butternut squash ravioli bake, lighter side dishes are often the perfect accompaniment. To balance the meal, I highly recommend serving it with a crisp, fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette, or a medley of roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli. If you’re looking to complete a truly indulgent meal, don’t forget to include some warm, crusty garlic bread or a flavorful focaccia to soak up every last drop of that creamy sauce!

Making Your Butternut Squash Ravioli Bake Vegan-Friendly

While this particular butternut squash ravioli recipe, as written, is not vegan due to the inclusion of turkey bacon, dairy milk, and cheese, it can be easily adapted to be entirely plant-based with just a few mindful substitutions. To transform this delicious bake into a vegan delight, simply omit the turkey bacon and mozzarella cheese. For the cheesy flavor and creamy texture in the sauce, swap the Parmesan cheese for an equal amount of nutritional yeast, which provides a savory, umami kick. Replace dairy milk with your favorite unsweetened dairy-free alternative like almond, soy, or oat milk. Most importantly, ensure that the store-bought ravioli you choose is specifically labeled as vegan, as many contain eggs or dairy. With these simple adjustments, everyone can enjoy a hearty and flavorful vegan butternut squash ravioli bake!

Storing and Reheating for Lasting Enjoyment

This butternut squash ravioli bake is an ideal recipe for meal prepping, as it yields a generous portion (serving up to 10 people) and stores exceptionally well. Don’t let those delicious leftovers go to waste! For convenient individual servings, portion the bake into airtight glass containers. If you have ample fridge space, you can simply refrigerate the entire casserole dish, covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat individual servings in the microwave, sprinkle a tablespoon or two of water over the pasta and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until thoroughly heated. The added moisture from the water and damp paper towel will help steam the pasta, preventing it from drying out and ensuring it tastes as fresh and delicious as when it was first made. For reheating a larger portion in the oven, sprinkle water over the top of the casserole, cover it with foil, and place it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This method also works wonderfully to revive the pasta, leaving it perfectly tender and flavorful.

Freezing This Delight for Future Meals

One of the best features of this butternut squash ravioli bake is its freezer-friendly nature, allowing you to enjoy comforting meals whenever you need them. To freeze, divide the cooled bake into individual portions and place them in freezer-safe foil containers. These containers are perfect as they allow you to reheat the dish directly from frozen in the oven. Simply pull a portion out of the freezer, remove the lid, and place it in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 30-40 minutes, or until piping hot and bubbly. No need to thaw beforehand! Freezing this ravioli bake is a fantastic way to ensure you always have a quick, easy, and satisfying comfort food option on hand for those busy evenings.

Explore More Delicious Butternut Squash Recipes

If you love the sweet and savory flavors of butternut squash, you’ll be delighted by these other fantastic recipes. Dive deeper into the versatility of this incredible winter squash:

• Butternut Squash Ravioli + Red Pepper Cream Sauce: A vibrant twist on ravioli with a flavorful roasted red pepper cream sauce.
• Brown Butter Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sage: Indulgent gnocchi tossed in a rich brown butter and fragrant sage sauce.
• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto: Creamy, comforting risotto made effortlessly in your Instant Pot.
• More Butternut Squash Recipes: Discover a whole collection of inspiring dishes featuring this beloved squash.

Essential Meal Prep Tools for Savvy Cooks

To make your meal prep journey smoother and more efficient, consider investing in these helpful kitchen tools that will simplify the cooking and storage of your butternut squash ravioli bake and other favorite dishes:

• Grab some glass meal prep bowlsif you plan on turning this pasta bake into your weekly lunches. Their durability and microwave-safe nature make them ideal.
• These foil containers are great for storing leftovers and reheating direct from frozen in the oven. They’re particularly useful for individual portions destined for the freezer.
• You can also buy pre-made butternut squash sauce in jars now! This is a fantastic shortcut that will save you so much time and effort, especially on busy days.