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Winter Squash Dump & Bake

A Cozy Casserole with Creamy Cashew Sauce
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Bake:

  • 3-4 cups chopped winter squash or any hearty veggies you have Try: potatoes, brussels sprouts, beets, cauliflower, parsnips, carrots
  • ½ red onion or yellow onion or a few shallots, diced
  • 1 can white cannellini beans drained
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup brown rice uncooked
  • 1-2 cups veggie stock (or water + 1–2 bouillon cubes)
  • A few sprigs rosemary & thyme or ½ tsp dried of each
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • salt & black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups chopped kale to add at the end

Creamy Cashew Sauce:

  • 1 cup cashews soaked for at least 2 hours or boiled for 10 mins
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 lemon (juiced)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme destemmed
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary destemmed
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • A splash of water to blend

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Prep the veggies:

  • Wash and chop your choice of hearty vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  • Dice your onion or shallots.
  • Add everything to a large casserole dish.

Season everything well:

  • Sprinkle in cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the white beans, dollops of pumpkin purée, veggie stock (or cubes + water), and 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme.
  • Stir lightly to distribute, then sprinkle in the uncooked brown rice.

Bake it:

  • Cover the dish with foil or a reusable cover.
  • Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and veggies are fork-tender.
  • If it’s looking dry, you can add a splash more water halfway through.

Add the kale:

  • Remove the cover, stir in the chopped kale, and return to the oven for 5–10 more minutes, just until wilted.

Make the creamy cashew sauce:

  • In a blender, combine soaked cashews, garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, paprika, nutritional yeast, and water (if needed).
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Adjust flavor and texture to your liking (less water = thicker sauce!).

Serve & enjoy:

  • Drizzle the cashew sauce over the warm casserole.
  • Top with extra herbs, chili flakes, or a squeeze of lemon if you’re feeling fancy.
  • Leftovers store great in the fridge for 3–4 days.