Creamy Baked Chickpea & Butternut Squash Casserole with Pecan Crust: A Perfect Friendsgiving Dish
Friendsgiving is all about coming together with friends and loved ones to enjoy a relaxed, festive meal. It’s a chance to bring something unique to the table, especially for friends who may be vegetarian, vegan, or just looking for healthier options among the more traditional holiday dishes. That’s where this Creamy Baked Chickpea & Butternut Squash Casserole with Pecan Crust comes in as the perfect friendsgiving vegan casserole!
This dish combines the warmth of roasted butternut squash, the heartiness of chickpeas, and the nutritional punch of kale, all enveloped in a rich, dairy-free cream sauce. And with a crunchy pecan topping, each bite delivers creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors that balance perfectly. The casserole is wholesome, colorful, and truly captures the essence of autumn – making it a crowd-pleaser on any Friendsgiving table.
Why This Casserole is Perfect for Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving meals are all about community, sharing, and food that makes everyone feel welcomed and satisfied. This friendsgiving vegan casserole checks all those boxes. Here’s why it’s a must-have:
- It’s Vegan-Friendly: No need to worry about dietary restrictions! This casserole is completely plant-based, so it’s friendly to vegan and vegetarian guests – but trust me, even meat-lovers will go back for seconds.
- Rich Comfort Food Without the Guilt: Made with whole, nutrient-rich ingredients like butternut squash, chickpeas, and kale, it’s a dish that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Cashews lend a creaminess to the sauce without the heaviness of dairy, so you can enjoy the creamy texture guilt-free.
- Easy to Make and Bring Along: This casserole is an easy one-dish recipe, making it ideal for transport if you’re bringing it to someone else’s gathering. Plus, it can be made ahead and simply warmed up before serving.
- A Delicious Mix of Textures and Flavors: The contrast of creamy sauce with tender squash and chickpeas, plus the crunchy, nutty pecan crust, makes every bite feel special.
Don’t forget the Cranberries!
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Tips for Making Ahead and Reheating
If you’re planning to make this casserole in advance, you can prepare the casserole base and vegan cream sauce a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge, and then assemble and bake on the day of your Friendsgiving gathering. The pecan topping can also be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container.
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Friendsgiving Food, Made to Share
This casserole truly embodies the Friendsgiving spirit: a warm, comforting dish made with love, meant to be shared with people who make you feel at home. It’s a thoughtful way to include everyone in the feast, regardless of dietary preference, while delivering a burst of autumn flavor in every bite.
So grab a baking dish, some colorful seasonal produce, and let’s make this Friendsgiving dish a tradition. You’ll have your friends asking for the recipe before the night’s over, guaranteed!
Happy Friendsgiving from my kitchen to yours! 🍂
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Baked Chickpea Butternut Squash Casserole
A creamy vegan casserole with chickpeas, butternut squash, kale, and a crunchy pecan crust – the perfect Friendsgiving dish everyone will love!
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
For the Vegan Cream Sauce:
For the Pecan Topping:
To Make
-
Prepare the Vegan Cream Sauce:
Blend soaked cashews with plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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Preheat the Oven:
Set the oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Prepare the Casserole Base:
In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, chickpeas, kale, onion, and garlic with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat with half of the cream sauce and transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining cream sauce over the top and drizzle with vegetable broth.
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Make the Pecan Topping:
In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Assemble and Bake:
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the squash is tender and the topping is golden and crispy.
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Cool and Serve:
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if you like!
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 320kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 19g30%
- Total Carbohydrate 34g12%
- Dietary Fiber 8g32%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Tips for Making Ahead and Reheating
If you’re planning to make this casserole in advance, you can prepare the casserole base and vegan cream sauce a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge, and then assemble and bake on the day of your Friendsgiving gathering. The pecan topping can also be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container.
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
