Rating: 3.84
(130)

Turkey and Butternut Squash Bake

April 24, 2024

Turkey and Butternut Squash Bake is a comforting and nutritious dish that combines the savory richness of turkey with the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash. This hearty bake is perfect for colder months, offering a balance of flavors and textures that feels both satisfying and wholesome. It’s a simple yet delicious meal, perfect for a family dinner or as a make-ahead option for meal prepping.

The star ingredients are ground turkey and butternut squash, both of which bring distinct flavors to the dish. Ground turkey is a lean protein that pairs beautifully with the sweet, nutty taste of roasted butternut squash. The squash adds both sweetness and creaminess when baked, creating a wonderful contrast to the turkey. A mix of aromatic vegetables, such as onions, garlic, and bell peppers, enhances the dish’s overall depth and flavor.

To bring it all together, a savory seasoning mix is essential. Think along the lines of thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, which complement both the turkey and the squash. You can also add a touch of cumin or smoked paprika for warmth, or a drizzle of olive oil for richness. The entire mixture is then baked together, allowing the flavors to meld and creating a perfectly cooked dish that is both comforting and full of flavor.

One of the benefits of this bake is how adaptable it is. You can add a variety of vegetables, such as spinach, kale, or even carrots, to increase the nutrition and flavor. For a little extra indulgence, top the bake with some grated cheese before putting it in the oven, allowing it to melt and form a delicious golden crust.

Turkey and Butternut Squash Bake is a filling, one-pan meal that brings warmth and comfort to any table. It’s a perfect combination of protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs, making it both satisfying and balanced.

Turkey and Butternut Squash Bake
Turkey and Butternut Squash Bake
3.84 from 130 votes
A delicious and hearty meal made with turkey and butternut squash.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 butternut squash small, peeled and cubed
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp thyme dried
  • 1 tsp rosemary dried
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
  • Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until onion is translucent.
  • Add the butternut squash, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes, until the butternut squash is slightly tender.
  • Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until the squash is fully cooked and the turkey is heated through.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 25gFat: 10gFiber: 4g
Calories: 300kcal
Meal Type: Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butternut squash, turkey
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar laurie.hackett2018 says:

    2 stars
    I tried this and the bake felt dry by the end. Next time I’d add a bit more broth or cover tighter. Still edible though.

  2. User avatar mohammed.predovic31 says:

    4 stars
    I accidentally used ground chicken instead of turkey and it was still good. But the thyme/rosemary combo was strong—good if you like herbs.

  3. User avatar Arnbjorn says:

    2 stars
    I dunno… it was kinda bland. Might need more spices or something. 🤷‍♂️

  4. User avatar roy.spinka1981 says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for dinner on a chilly night! Love it!

  5. User avatar brain.boyer says:

    3 stars
    Very easy to make, but bland. I added some chili flakes and it made a big difference!

  6. 1 star
    Did not like it. The turkey was weird. Will stick to beef next time.

  7. User avatar Michael83 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is the bomb! I absolutely loved it! Making it again for sure!

    1. User avatar ami.mccullough says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites too. What other recipes do you like?

  8. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but 10 minutes on the stove didn’t get the squash nearly tender enough for me, so I baked a lot longer. Could be my oven though.

  9. 4 stars
    Turkey and squash? Sounds weird, but I gave it a shot. It was surprisingly tasty! Who knew I liked squash?

  10. User avatar tiffiny.blanda says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Made some variations though, added bell peppers and a pinch of cayenne. Yum!

  11. User avatar daryl.rippin says:

    4 stars
    I thought butternut squash was a fruit? 🤔 Anyway, good recipe!

    1. User avatar Jessica Atreides says:

      5 stars
      Butternut squash is a fruit! It has seeds, so you’re right. 😄 Love this recipe, can’t wait to try it!

    2. 4 stars
      Really? I always thought it was a veggie. Anyway, sounds good! I might add some cheese on top.

  12. User avatar San Shenlong says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, not really my favorite dish. But the boyfriend loved it!

  13. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    1 star
    My kids just refused to eat it. Maybe too healthy? They only want pizza. 🍕

    1. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

      3 stars
      Aww, that sucks! But healthy food is good too! Maybe they’ll like it more if you call it ‘turkey casserole’ instead?

    2. User avatar ellen.botsford says:

      4 stars
      Kids these days are so picky! Have you tried adding cheese on top? That might help!

  14. User avatar akilah.goodwin says:

    3 stars
    I think the butternut squash is overrated. Can’t it just be normal squash? Anyway, it was ok taste-wise, 3 stars.

  15. User avatar noel.herman5 says:

    3 stars
    Honestly, it was kinda bland for me. I used dried herbs like it says, but I think I under-salted. Would recommend tasting before it goes into the oven.

    1. User avatar donya.hammes1972 says:

      4 stars
      Yeah I get that—next time I’d definitely start with a little more salt. Also, my dried rosemary was super strong, so I ended up backing off the amount a bit, but still salted more at the end. Tasting is key before it goes in.

    2. User avatar lyn.kassulke says:

      3 stars
      Huh, I made this and it was fine? I think people forget that butternut squash can be sweet, so maybe your herbs just got swallowed. Did you use fresh or dried rosemary (I mean like… the flavor)? Mine tasted better after baking too.

  16. User avatar Peregrin Took says:

    5 stars
    Tasty! I used ground beef instead of turkey and it still came out great. Also, what’s thyme?

  17. User avatar ninfa.walter says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, I found the flavor a bit bland. Added more spices but still eh.

  18. User avatar cori.kuhlman62 says:

    4 stars
    375 is too low in my opinion—my squash didn’t get fully soft until I baked longer like 60 min. Otherwise good flavor.

  19. 3 stars
    I’m skeptical about baking after simmering—seems like it could dry out. Mine didn’t dry, but it did take longer than expected. Still, tasty and easy.

    1. 3 stars
      Mine did kinda dry out even though I followed it 😕 I’m wondering if 45 min is too long at 375 for cubed squash. Maybe cover it with foil or cut the bake time. Still tasted good, just not as moist as I wanted.

    2. User avatar herman.kertzmann2019 says:

      5 stars
      I get the skepticism—when you simmer something and then bake it, you’d think it would dry out. But the extra broth/tomatoes really help. I also found I needed a few extra minutes than the recipe says, though it was still juicy and flavorful.

  20. User avatar rupert.oconner says:

    4 stars
    Who knew squash could taste so good?! I was surprised. More recipes like this, please!

    1. User avatar keven.ortiz21 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! I was skeptical at first, but this recipe changed my mind about squash for sure. Can’t wait to try it again!

  21. User avatar winifred.rohan38 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe but the squash didn’t cook thoroughly. Should I have cut them smaller? Not sure about this one.

  22. User avatar amparo.schoen99 says:

    5 stars
    The ingredient list is simple and the result tastes like more effort than it really takes. I added a pinch of chili flakes and it was even better.

  23. User avatar veronique.altenwerth36 says:

    4 stars
    Luv it!!! I used ground beef instead cause that’s what I had, still turned out great!

  24. 4 stars
    Followed it mostly, but I simmered closer to 15 min before baking since my squash was huge. Still turned out great. Nice and hearty.

    1. User avatar norene.considine5 says:

      5 stars
      That sounds perfect! My squash has never been “small” either, so extending the simmer like that is probably the key. Glad it still turned out hearty 😊

    2. User avatar Tena Ko'sah says:

      3 stars
      I did it by the book and it was kinda watery for me… maybe I didn’t simmer long enough. 15 min makes sense if the squash is bigger. I’ll try that next time.

  25. 3 stars
    Not too sure about this one. The turkey turned out a bit dry for me. I think I’d prefer chicken next time.

  26. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    2 stars
    Eh… my turkey browned fine but the squash stayed a little firm. Maybe my squash wasn’t small enough. Flavor was ok, though.

  27. User avatar burton.schinner1996 says:

    2 stars
    2 tbsp olive oil seems like a typo… mine was way greasy, and I had to blot it. Maybe my skillet was hotter than it should’ve been?

  28. 5 stars
    This was so good! I never thought butternut squash could taste this delicious. Definitely making it again!

    1. User avatar carole.schuster says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Butternut squash is a hidden gem. Have you tried adding some Parmesan on top? YUM!

    2. User avatar jacinto.barton84 says:

      2 stars
      Really? Butternut squash is just mushy, no offense. How can anyone find it delicious? 🤔

  29. User avatar leroy.smitham1977 says:

    1 star
    Nah, didn’t like it at all. It needed more flavor, I expected a punch but got a whisper.

  30. User avatar jin.parisian1969 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! My kids loved it and asked for seconds. I might try adding some cheese on top next time though. Great recipe!

  31. User avatar tequila.bayer says:

    2 stars
    Are you sure this is enough for 4 people? My family went for seconds, lol!

  32. User avatar ardath.hyatt11 says:

    5 stars
    I love turkey bakes, but butternut is the real star here. Great weeknight meal—minimal fuss, good leftovers.

  33. 3 stars
    Not bad. Kinda bland unless you REALLY salt it. Also I don’t always have dried rosemary, so I used fresh and added more garlic. Came out way better that way.

    1. 4 stars
      Totally agree—mine tasted “meh” until I didn’t skimp on salt. I also added a pinch more pepper and it brought everything to life.

    2. User avatar herminia.runolfsson says:

      5 stars
      Fresh rosemary + extra garlic sounds legit. I never measure salt though, so “to taste” is my whole life 😂 Glad it came out better that way!

  34. 4 stars
    Solid comfort-food vibe. Next time I’ll add a pinch of red pepper flakes, because it felt a little mild for my taste.

    1. User avatar narcisa.okuneva1983 says:

      5 stars
      Totally get that—mine always needs a little kick too. Red pepper flakes would probably make the flavors pop nicely with the thyme/rosemary.

  35. User avatar jamison.lang65 says:

    5 stars
    Yum yum yum!! So comforting and filling! My family devoured this meal! 😋

    1. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it with my family. Thanks for sharing!

  36. 5 stars
    Tried this tonight—so cozy and filling. Butternut stayed nice and tender after the bake, and the herb combo smells amazing. I added a pinch of chili flakes and it was perfect.

  37. User avatar Debera Ritchie says:

    5 stars
    Really cozy fall vibe. The butternut comes out tender and the rosemary thyme combo is super good—will make again for sure.

  38. User avatar Phillip D. Bagg says:

    2 stars
    Eh, not my favorite. I’ve tasted better turkey dishes. Maybe it’s just me.

    1. User avatar reid.heller says:

      4 stars
      I totally understand! Everyone has their own taste. Maybe try adding some spices next time? It might help!

  39. User avatar zachery.blanda says:

    1 star
    Turkey doesn’t belong in a bake! It should be ground beef. This is wrong.

  40. User avatar viva.champlin says:

    5 stars
    Turkey + butternut is always a win. My kids actually asked for seconds—made it with extra garlic, because why not.

    1. User avatar Arlie Crist says:

      5 stars
      Love this combo—turkey + butternut is seriously comforting. Seconds from the kids is the real review! 😄 Extra garlic sounds perfect.

  41. User avatar lucilla.kemmer14 says:

    3 stars
    My kid didn’t like it (too many herbs), so I’ll probably cut the rosemary in half. Otherwise it smelled amazing.

    1. User avatar shala.stanton26 says:

      5 stars
      Totally get that—rosemary can be pretty intense. Cutting it in half is a smart move, especially for kids. Glad it smelled amazing though!

    2. 3 stars
      My kid doesn’t like rosemary either. But cutting it in half might not be enough… next time try like 1/4 tsp. Also, are you sure the bake time is 45 min? My squash took longer at 375°F.

  42. User avatar edelmira.abbott82 says:

    3 stars
    It’s okay, but I think it needs more garlic or somethin’. Just my opinion.

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! More garlic would make it sooo much better. It’s all about flavor, right?

  43. User avatar truman.rempel2 says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it turned out so comforting. The squash got sweet and the turkey stayed juicy. I added a pinch of chili flakes and it was perfect.

  44. 5 stars
    This was sooo good! I loved how the butternut squash made it sweet, will def make again!

  45. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

    4 stars
    Not bad at all! I accidentally used italian seasoning instead of thyme/rosemary and it still worked, lol. Would make again for sure.

    1. 5 stars
      Nice! Love when substitutions still turn out good—italian seasoning is basically the universe’s shortcut 😄 This would be great with a little extra garlic too.

    2. 3 stars
      Huh I don’t know about swapping herbs like that. Italian seasoning usually has oregano and that can be overpowering… but hey if it worked for you I guess I’ll try it. Did you use the same amount (1 tsp)?

  46. User avatar carlotta.ernser says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but I found it a little bland until I salted more at the end. Also, 1 tsp rosemary felt like a lot for my taste—next time I’ll reduce that.

    1. User avatar jack.cormier1954 says:

      3 stars
      I dunno, 1 tsp rosemary seems about right to me? My husband’s obsessed with herby stuff. Also I salt when it’s simmering, not after, so maybe that’s why I didn’t notice blandness. But hey to each their own 😅

    2. User avatar ellis.leffler57 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—mine was pretty bland at first too. I ended up adding extra salt right at the end and a pinch of pepper and it made a big difference. I also think the rosemary can overpower fast; I’d cut it down next time like you said.

  47. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    5 stars
    This came out super cozy and flavorful. The rosemary/thyme combo is perfect with the squash, and the turkey stayed juicy. I’ll make it again for sure.

    1. User avatar Eugenio Dach says:

      5 stars
      Yes! The rosemary/thyme combo really does make it taste like a legit cozy fall meal. Glad the turkey stayed juicy—mine always dries out if I overcook it, so this is promising.

    2. User avatar Tomiko Swaniawski says:

      3 stars
      I dunno… 45 minutes feels like a lot for already-simmered squash. I tried something similar and my squash got kinda mushy. But if yours turned out perfect, I guess I’ll trust the process 😅

  48. User avatar ArabianNights says:

    5 stars
    This was so yummy! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again! ❤️

    1. User avatar andre.ebert says:

      5 stars
      So glad your family enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too. ❤️

    2. User avatar rich.landlord says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, sounds a bit weird to mix turkey with squash. 🤔

  49. 4 stars
    Turkey and squash? Sounds weird but actually tastes great! Who woulda thought? 🤪

  50. 4 stars
    Pretty good, but my squash wasn’t fully tender by 45 minutes. Next time I’ll either cut the cubes smaller or bake a bit longer. Flavor was solid though.

  51. User avatar jonah.crona29 says:

    4 stars
    I skipped the thyme because I didn’t have it, still good! But I like thyme. Maybe next time.

    1. User avatar jarrett.walsh says:

      4 stars
      I think it would be even better with the thyme! But hey, glad it turned out good anyway!

  52. User avatar lasandra.bashirian1955 says:

    3 stars
    I’m skeptical about mixing canned tomatoes with broth—seems like it could get watery. Mine was a bit soupy at first, but it thickened in the oven.

  53. User avatar miles.grant says:

    3 stars
    Is 375 degrees really enough? Mine took longer to bake. 🤔

    1. User avatar Hurdy Gurdy Man says:

      4 stars
      I’ve always found that some ovens just don’t heat as evenly. Maybe try a thermometer next time!

  54. User avatar williams.bergstrom87 says:

    4 stars
    This is a great weeknight meal. Only thing: 1 tsp thyme + 1 tsp rosemary felt like a lot for me, so I’ll halve it next time. Otherwise really good.

    1. User avatar herta.shields says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree on the herbs—1 tsp each can be overpowering, especially if the rosemary is strong. Halving sounds like the move. Did you notice if it smelled more herby than “bready” or savory after baking?

  55. User avatar ewa.lowe38 says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, but too watery for my taste. Maybe less broth next time?

  56. 5 stars
    This dish was amazing! So easy to make and the flavors really come together. My family loved it.

    1. 5 stars
      I’m glad your family enjoyed it! It’s a hit in my house too. 😊

    2. User avatar Byron Flatley says:

      3 stars
      Sounds good, but my family doesn’t like squash. Any subs that work?

  57. User avatar joanie.lebsack says:

    3 stars
    Mine came out a little watery. Next time I’ll reduce the chicken broth or bake uncovered for the last 10–15 minutes.

  58. 5 stars
    This turned out really cozy and flavorful—squash was perfectly tender after the bake. I used fresh rosemary and it smelled amazing while cooking.

    1. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—this really is cozy. I used fresh rosemary too and it filled the whole kitchen. Next time I might just cube the squash a little smaller so it’s done at the same time as the turkey.

  59. User avatar Hwi Noree says:

    2 stars
    Wrong? maybe. I skipped covering the skillet (oops) and it got kinda dry. Lesson learned: cover!

    1. User avatar Draugr Thrall says:

      5 stars
      Ugh, yeah—covering really matters for squash. Dry bake is usually just missing that steam to soften it. Good catch!

    2. User avatar donte.dach91 says:

      3 stars
      I think it’s fine? Maybe your oven ran hot or the squash cubes were too big. But covering next time makes sense, I guess. 😅

  60. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    4 stars
    I’m not sure about baking after simmering in the skillet—seemed a bit redundant. But the end result was still tasty and the turkey stayed juicy.

  61. User avatar joe_banana says:

    4 stars
    I really enjoyed this recipe! Easy to make and healthy too. Perfect for a weeknight meal!

    1. 5 stars
      Glad you liked it! I made it last week and it was so good! Perfect balance of flavors.

  62. User avatar edra.mante65 says:

    5 stars
    So good so good! I didn’t have butternut squash, so I used regular squash instead and it still worked well!

  63. User avatar corinne.braun says:

    4 stars
    I messed up and used sweet potatoes instead of butternut squash! Still turned out fine tho!

  64. User avatar darcie.mills86 says:

    3 stars
    Not gonna lie, this tasted a little bland until I added extra salt and a pinch of chili flakes. After that? Way better.

  65. User avatar marni.stanton68 says:

    4 stars
    Followed it pretty much exactly and it was great, but 10 minutes simmering felt a bit short—my squash needed closer to 15 before baking. Still delicious though.

    1. User avatar love.jaskolski says:

      5 stars
      Glad it turned out great! Yeah, squash can vary a lot—15 minutes sounds totally reasonable before baking. Thanks for the heads-up!

    2. User avatar ozzie.fadel19 says:

      4 stars
      We simmered 10 and it was still kinda hard in the middle after 45 mins… might be our cubes were too big. Next time I’ll do longer, maybe 15 like you said.

  66. User avatar giuseppina.wuckert says:

    2 stars
    Easy to make, but a bit bland for my taste. I need to spice it up more!

  67. 3 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly but ended up overcooking the turkey. Not sure if I’ll try again.

  68. 5 stars
    Super easy to make! I cut the cooking time by 10 mins and it was perfect.

  69. User avatar julee.morar35 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about just simmering 10 minutes then baking, but it worked! The dish turned out pretty well-balanced—savory and not too heavy.

  70. User avatar mario.jones2012 says:

    4 stars
    Good flavor, but my squash took way longer than 45 minutes to fully cook. Next time I’ll cube a bit smaller or simmer longer before baking. Still tasty though.

  71. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    5 stars
    This is comfort food without being heavy. The squash turned perfectly tender after the 45 minutes—great flavor from the thyme/rosemary too.

    1. User avatar Treebeard says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree—this hits that cozy spot without feeling like a brick. I also loved the thyme/rosemary combo. Mine needed like 5 extra minutes though to really get the squash tender, but still turned out great!

    2. User avatar micheal.heidenreich49 says:

      3 stars
      Comfort food yes, but 45 min feels long for squash cubes? I did it once and mine came out a bit mushy. Still tasted good, just not the texture I wanted. Next time I’ll check earlier.

  72. 5 stars
    Pretty easy and filling. I don’t usually measure salt/pepper exactly, so I kind of eyeballed it and it still worked out.

    1. User avatar sanjuanita.wilkinson84 says:

      3 stars
      I made this once but I think my turkey was too lean? It came out a bit dry for me. Also I didn’t cover it the second time in the oven… maybe that’s why 😅

    2. 4 stars
      That’s good to hear! I’m the same way with salt/pepper—eyeballing usually works fine. Did you end up needing more broth at all, or was it perfectly moist after baking?

  73. User avatar efrain.stamm52 says:

    5 stars
    The recipe is super straightforward, and I like that it’s one skillet + baking dish. I used turkey that was a little lean, so I added an extra splash of broth at the end—helped keep it moist.

  74. User avatar charley.vonrueden4 says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! The flavors blended so well together. I added a bit of chili powder for a kick, and it was perfect!

  75. 4 stars
    This was a nice change from my usual meals. I’ll definitely make it again!

  76. 4 stars
    I followed it pretty much exactly, but I had to bake closer to 55 minutes since my squash cubes were bigger. Still delicious though!

  77. User avatar martina.mcglynn72 says:

    5 stars
    Five stars! My kid ate it and asked for seconds 😂

    1. 5 stars
      Aww that’s the best endorsement 😄 Mine always disappears too when I make this—kids love the flavor! 😂

  78. User avatar gabriella.lockman7 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about baking after simmering, but it worked. Texture was nice—squash tender, sauce not watery. Next time I might add a little more broth.

  79. User avatar Arthur Dent says:

    2 stars
    Meh. Ground turkey dries out for me, and 375°F for 45 min was too much. I think I would’ve browned it less or baked at lower temp.

  80. User avatar ian.zemlak35 says:

    3 stars
    Ground turkey always gets kinda dry for me. This wasn’t too bad, but I think I cooked it a bit too long in the skillet. Would be great with a little cheese on top I bet.

  81. User avatar williemae.schoen says:

    5 stars
    Five stars. Simple ingredients, mostly hands-off, and it tastes like something you’d pay more for. My whole apartment smelled like dinner prep.

  82. User avatar Michael83 says:

    3 stars
    Good flavors, but I felt like 45 minutes might be short for my oven—some squash pieces were still a bit firm. Otherwise solid.

  83. 2 stars
    I followed it exactly and it tasted kinda bland, like… needs more salt than “to taste” (I know, but still). Maybe add a little garlic powder or chili flakes.

3.84 from 130 votes
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