I love making Vegan Squash Casserole when I want Southern comfort food that works perfectly for holiday dinners. Roasted butternut squash layers with caramelized leeks and fresh sage, all covered in creamy asparagus sauce and topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs. The squash gets tender and sweet, the leeks add buttery depth, and that crunchy topping makes every bite satisfying. It feeds a crowd and travels well to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendsgiving, and fall potlucks since it reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
In a sauté pan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic, and sage, and cook for 10–12 minutes, until soft and golden. Season with salt and pepper.
2 tablespoons vegan butter, 2 cups sliced leeks, 3 large cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh sage, Salt and pepper
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×9-inch or 8×11-inch baking dish. Layer half the leeks, then half the roasted squash. Repeat the layers. Pour the asparagus cream over the top and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
1 cup vegan asparagus cream, ¾ cup breadcrumbs
Bake uncovered for 27–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Fresh parsley
Notes
Cut squash evenly: Cube the butternut squash into similar-sized pieces so they roast at the same rate and you don't end up with some pieces too soft and others undercooked.
Don't rush the leeks: Cook them low and slow for the full 10 to 12 minutes, so they caramelize and develop sweetness rather than soften.
Use fresh sage: It has a stronger, earthier flavor than dried sage, and it makes a noticeable difference in the overall taste of the casserole.
Customize with extras: Add fresh thyme alongside the sage, dollop vegan sour cream on top when serving, thin the asparagus cream with vegetable broth if needed, thicken it with cornstarch whisked in before baking, or use a blender to make a homemade cream sauce with oat milk and all-purpose flour for a dairy-free option from scratch.
Try these swaps: Use 2 cups of diced yellow onion instead of leeks, swap breadcrumbs with crushed buttery crackers or gluten-free crackers for a richer topping, or replace half the butternut squash with sliced zucchini and reduce roasting time to 15 to 20 minutes.
Flash freeze first: Freeze the casserole on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to a container so the layers stay intact and don't stick together.