The Only Squash Casserole Recipe You Need This Fall: October Colorado Proud Recipe of the Month

Get ready to steal the spotlight at your holiday table with Colorado's ultimate seasonal side dish! Combining rich, locally grown winter squash with a golden, comforting bake, this crowd-pleasing casserole is guaranteed to outshine every other recipe on the menu. Best of all, it's a fun and effortless way to showcase the very best ingredients our state's hard-working local producers have to offer this fall.

As cool autumn air settles across the Rockies, Colorado enters its richest harvest season, yielding a diverse bounty of local grains, orchard fruits, and hardy root vegetables. Among these fall staples, winter squash holds a special place in the state's agricultural history, having been cultivated across the region for centuries as one of the Indigenous "Three Sisters" alongside corn and beans. From sweet Delicata and creamy Butternut to sturdy Acorn squash, these versatile crops thrive in Colorado's high-altitude sun and cool autumn nights. Today, local growers continue this tradition, harvesting vibrant, nutrient-dense squashes that bring authentic local flavor, rich history, and warmth to modern fall menus.

Autumn is the perfect season to bring crisp, fresh, local flavors straight to your table. Use our Farm Fresh Directory or interactive map to discover vibrant fall farmers' markets, pumpkin patches, and seasonal farm stands near you, or explore Colorado Proud to connect with the dedicated growers and artisans harvesting your food. When gathering your autumn ingredients, look for the Colorado Proud seal to guarantee you're celebrating the season with authentic, locally grown produce while supporting our state's agricultural community.

Shared by Chef Jason Morse

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1.5 hours

Ingredients

• 1 medium acorn squash (for these type of squash check out Miller Farms)
• 1 medium butternut squash
• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups pecan pieces, roasted
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup pecorino Romano cheese, grated
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped

Colorado Proud tips:

• Utilize our digital interactive farmers' market map to find fall produce near you or check out the Colorado Proud website.
• When looking to make cocktails or mocktails consider using Colorado Proud beverage companies to add a local flair, check out our mocktail recipe below for examples.
• Colorado is home to many spice blending companies like Mile High Spice Company, this is another way to support local.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut the squashes in half, remove the seeds, then rub both sides generously with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place skin side up onto a cookie sheet and roast at 400 degrees for approximately 40 minutes, or until squashes are tender.
4. Remove from the oven and chill for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
5. Once cool, peel the squashes and keep in separate dishes on the side.
6. Dice the acorn squash, mash the butternut squash and pull the spaghetti squash into shreds.
7. Spray a square cake pan with non-stick spray. Place the spaghetti squash on the bottom then alternate layering the types of squash with cream, Pecorino cheese and Parmesan.
8. On the final layer, top with pecans, cream and cheese.
9. Cover with foil and roast in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and brown slightly.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Pairing Perfection

We recommend the 2023 Cabernet Franc wine from Mesa Winds Winery in Hotchkiss.This wine has aromas of bright red cherry and plum with hints of cedar. It has a medium body with bright acidity and firm tannin. This wine won double gold in the 2025 Colorado Governor's Cup. This award winning winery is located on the southern slopes of the Grand Mesa in West Elks wine region, one of only two American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Colorado. Perched above the small town of Hotchkiss, Mesa Winds boasts panoramic views of the West Elks to the east and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the South. Their vineyards sit at an astonishing 5,800 feet above sea level, making them one of the highest elevation vineyards in the Northern Hemisphere.

Non-alcoholic cocktail

Here is an autumnal mocktail concept designed to pair with the rich, savory winter squash casserole.The acidity from the fresh lemon juice and crisp apple cuts through the creamy texture of baked squash casserole, while the bite of Colorado ginger and aromatic honey mirrors the warm, comforting spices of autumn cooking.

The Colorado Orchard Sparkler

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the fresh apple cider, lemon juice, local honey syrup, and bitters.
2. Shake well for 10-15 seconds until chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with Colorado-made ginger ale or ginger beer for a lively, effervescent finish.
5. Garnish with a thinly sliced apple fan, a lightly slapped rosemary sprig, and a cinnamon stick for aroma.

Visit ColoradoProud.com for more recipes.