Tag: kitchen shortcuts

Beef and Butternut Squash Casserole

As a stay at home parent, I’m always looking for easy dinner ideas that the whole family will enjoy. When I saw the recipe for this beef and butternut squash casserole, I knew I had to give it a try. Not only is it simple to make, but the combination of flavors is absolutely delicious. Plus, the beef and butternut squash are both packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy dinner option.

Ingredients:

– 2 pounds of ground beef

– 2 cups of diced onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
– 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes, undrained
– 1 can (15 ounces) of black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
– 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Add the onion and garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
3. Add the oregano and tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, cubed butternut squash and grated cheese. Add in the cooked ground beef mixture and stir until everything is combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the butternut squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

This beef and butternut squash casserole is sure to become a family favorite in no time! The flavors in this dish are simply amazing – you get a bit of sweetness from the butternut squash combined with the savory flavors from the beef and tomatoes which are kicked up by the addition of oregano, garlic, onion and black beans! Plus, this dish is so easy to make that it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to cook an elaborate meal! And best yet – it’s full of essential vitamins and minerals that are sure to keep you feeling full all night long!

My family loves this beef and butternut squash casserole so much that we make it at least once a week now! We usually serve it along with some steamed vegetables or a side salad – either way it’s always delicious! It’s also one of my favorite dishes because it reminds me of my childhood – my mother used to make a similar dish when I was growing up which was always one of my favorites! So now when I make this casserole I like to think that I am sharing all those wonderful memories with my own family too!