Butternut squash casserole with ground beef and rice! This simple, delicious bake was a happy accident born out of my efforts to use up some random ingredients in my kitchen. Isn't it just the best when that happens?!
Simply cube squash and roast for 30 minutes. Remove baking pan from the oven and add all other ingredients (except cheese). Mix it up and bake again, until rice absorbs liquid. Cover with cheese and place back in the oven one more time until melted.
That's it! A tasty, healthy, gluten free meal your family will LOVE.

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Ingredients For Butternut Squash Casserole:
- Butternut squash
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper & rosemary
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Minced garlic
- Vegetable broth
- Heavy cream
- Brown instant rice
- Cheddar cheese
- Parsley flakes
Making Butternut Squash Casserole With Ground Beef & Rice:
Keep scrolling for the full recipe. We’ll start here with a quick rundown!
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Peel and cube butternut squash and measure 4 cups into a 9x13 baking dish.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Generously sprinkle with salt, pepper and rosemary.
- Roast for 30 minutes.
- While squash is baking, brown your ground beef and drain excess fat.
- Dice onion and add to hamburger. Cook until translucent, then stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (30-60 seconds).
- Remove squash from the oven and add browned hamburger mixture, instant rice, broth and cream. Stir well and return to the oven for about 10 minutes.
- Once rice has absorbed broth, cover casserole with cheese. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes then broil for 1-2 minutes to brown cheese, if desired.
- Allow to cool and enjoy!
HANDY TIPS:
- Butternut squash: Pre-cubed butternut squash is usually available at the grocery store (especially when it's in season)! If you don't feel like dicing up a whole squash, or you're looking to save a little time, consider looking for a package like the one shown below.
- Minced garlic: I always keep a jar of minced garlic in my refrigerator. It's a huge time saver. I love garlic but I don't always want to mince by hand, this is a great alternative!
STEP BY STEP PHOTOS:
Butternut Squash Casserole With Ground Beef & Rice
Ingredients
- 4 cups butternut squash *cubed *see note below
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Rosemary *crushed/dried
- 1 lb ground beef *I use 97/3%
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic *see note below
- 1 can vegetable broth *about 2 cups
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 & ⅓ cups instant brown rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
Recipe notes:
Butternut squash: Pre-cubed butternut squash is usually available at the grocery store (especially when it's in season)! If you don't feel like dicing up a whole squash, or you're looking to save a little time, look for a package in the produce section. Minced garlic: I always keep a jar of minced garlic in my refrigerator. It's a huge time saver. I love garlic but I don't always want to mince by hand, this is a great alternative!Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Peel and cube butternut squash. Measure 4 cups into a 9x13 baking dish.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Generously sprinkle with salt, pepper and crushed rosemary.
- Roast for 30 minutes.
- While squash is baking, brown your ground beef and drain excess fat.
- Dice onion and add to beef. Cook until translucent, then stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (30-60 seconds).
- Remove squash from the oven and add browned hamburger mixture, instant rice, broth and cream to the pan. Stir well and return to the oven for about 10 minutes.
- Once rice has absorbed most of the broth broth, remove pan from the oven again and cover casserole with shredded cheese.
- Return to the oven for about 5 minutes, then broil for 1-2 minutes to brown cheese, if desired.
- Allow to cool, plate and enjoy!
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?!
Wahoo! Thank you so much for trying it out – would you leave a rating and review in the comment section below?! Your feedback is so important to me.
More Simple Ground Beef Recipes:
- Easy Low Carb Taco Casserole
- Italian Stuffed Pepper Crockpot Soup
- Sheet Pan Nachos With Ground Beef
- The Best, Easy Tailgate Crockpot Chili
- Beef Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Easy Homemade Shepherd's Pie
Melba says
Stacey this really sounds incredible! I love butternut squash and can’t wait to try the recipe.
stacey_olson says
Yay! Enjoy it friend. It's one of my absolute favorites!
Gail Montero says
We love rice and butternut squash so this tasty dish is perfect for my family. Love all the flavors!
Garlic Salt & Lime says
Thank you so much, Gail!
Aimee Mars says
This looks like such a heart-warming casserole and one I'd love to take to a friend who has just had a baby.
Garlic Salt & Lime says
That would be so perfect!
Elizabeth says
This casserole is so delicious! Hearty and perfect for winter!
Garlic Salt & Lime says
Cold weather food all the way!
Sue says
LOVE the pairing of ground beef and butternut squash, that's a new one for me and I think it sounds wonderful.
Garlic Salt & Lime says
It's surprisingly tasty!!