Indian Winter Squash Gratin

Warm up your winter table with this Indian Winter Squash Gratin, a delightfully spiced twist on a comfort food classic. This dish combines tender cubes of butternut or acorn squash with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, creating a rich and fragrant filling. A creamy base of heavy cream enhances the flavors, while a golden, buttery topping of Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs adds the perfect crunch. Finished with a touch of fresh cilantro, this vibrant gratin is a wonderful blend of Indian-inspired flavors and cozy, oven-baked goodness. Ready in just an hour, it's an impressive side dish or vegetarian main that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs winter squash (e.g., butternut or acorn squash)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 0.25 tsp red chili powder (optional)
• 0.75 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Peel the winter squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5

Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 1 minute to toast the spices.

Step 6

Add the cubed winter squash to the skillet and toss to coat with the spiced onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 8

Transfer the squash mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on top of the squash.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1327.5 grams (1327.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1654

Total Fat 114.50g	147%
Saturated Fat 56.00g	280%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 251mg	84%
Sodium 3318mg	144%
Total Carbohydrate 134.00g	49%
Dietary Fiber 34.20g	122%
Total Sugars 24.50g
Protein 30.30g	61%

Vitamin D 7IU	35%
Calcium 905mg	70%
Iron 8mg	44%
Potassium 2904mg	62%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.1%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 31.8%