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Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping

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Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping uses Kikkoman Panko bread crumbs for the perfect holiday side dish recipe for the Christmas/Hanukkah season! | beckysbestbites.com

Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping uses Kikkoman Panko bread crumbs for the perfect holiday side dish recipe for the Christmas/Hanukkah season!

Yum

Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping | beckysbestbites.com

Can y’all believe that we are already talking about the holidays? It seems like we should still be enjoying lazy lake days and boat rides and not starting to think about what might be on the menu for holiday dinners… Unfortunately, the days are getting shorter, so let’s be proactive this year and start contemplating those holiday menu options now!

Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping | beckysbestbites.com

We have worked hard all summer (and now into the fall) to keep our healthier lifestyles and waistlines in check, so now is not the time to let all that hard work go just because we can now wear baggy sweaters and jeans 😉 If you are anything like me, you are looking for healthier options to add to our holiday menu and lucky for you, today I have a great option for you with my Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping.

Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping | beckysbestbites.com

Now, Kikkoman might not be the first brand that you think of for holiday recipes, as the #1 Asian brand with its soy sauces and marinades, but as I just learned they also make wonderful Panko Bread Crumbs that are a great addition to many holiday recipes!!

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Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs are made fresh from specially baked, crustless bread. With an oblong shape, Panko crumbs are larger, crispier and lighter, so they coat without “packing” like regular bread crumbs, allowing foods to stay crispier longer. Their delicate, crisp texture makes them the ideal choice for baked or fried foods. And, they’re unseasoned, making them perfect for sweet recipes too. I kept it savory, light and best of all super easy with my Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping!! It is loaded with simple and wholesome ingredients like butternut squash, fresh herbs, Greek yogurt, and egg whites.

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The crispy and flavorful panko parmesan topping of this healthy butternut squash casserole pairs beautifully with the tender and simply seasoned squash to let its yummy flavor shine through! And this is one casserole that you certainly don’t have to feel bad about going back for seconds of this holiday season 🙂 Go for it y’all!! YOU’RE WELCOME!!

Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping | beckysbestbites.com

Oh and I have another fun tip for you today! Do you shy away from butternut squash during the holiday season because it is such a pain to peel and chop? I know I did even though it is such a powerful addition to add to your diet!! It is one of the most nutritious and healthiest veggies that you can eat this season 🙂 It is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as dietary fiber! It not only tastes really yummy (and is kid-approved) but it is low in calories and surprisingly filling so it can be your secret weapon to keep you away from the dessert table 😉 You could buy the pre-chopped butternut squash that the grocery stores have available, but I have found that it seems to lack the flavor and be super bland. I needed to find a way to prep butternut squash that wouldn’t raise my blood pressure because who needs the extra stress, especially during the holiday season? The hack is using your microwave to steam the butternut squash BEFORE peeling!! Steaming it also cooks the squash a bit so the overall cooking time is reduced 🙂 The details are below in my recipe, so please continue reading 😉 I am super stoked that I found this hack and I couldn’t wait to share it with you!!

Here is your recipe for Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping:

4.9 from 24 reviews
Healthier Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
  • 2 (approximately 2 lbs. each) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, divided, to taste
  • 3 egg whites or about ¾ cup liquid egg whites or egg substitutes
  • 2 small containers (5 oz. each) non-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. rubbed sage
  • 1 cup Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Poke several holes on all sides of each butternut squash.
  2. Slice the top and bottom off of each squash, place in the microwave and cooks for 5 minutes.
  3. Let squash cool to the touch and then carefully peel using a vegetable peeler or knife.
  4. Cut squash open, scoop out pulp and seeds and chop into cubes.
  5. Preheat oven to 425 F. Spray a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  6. Heat 1 tbsp. of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  7. Once hot, add onions and garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the onion has soften and beginning to become translucent.
  8. Add chopped squash and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Cook squash mixture, stirring as needed to cook evenly, for approximately 10 minutes or until squash is slightly tender and fragrant. Transfer squash mixture to prepared casserole dish.
  10. While squash is cooking, add egg whites, Greek yogurt, rosemary, nutmeg and sage to a medium mixing bowl, whisk to combine.
  11. In another mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and fresh ground pepper. Stir to combine.
  12. Pour egg mixture evenly over top of squash in casserole dish.
  13. Finish casserole dish by sprinkling breadcrumb mixture evenly over top.
  14. Bake squash casserole in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until squash is tender, the casserole is bubbling and breadcrumb topping is golden brown.

 

Learn more about Kikkoman and some amazing recipes on their home cooks page! Also be sure to check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram 🙂

Now I have a fun giveaway for you!! To enter to win… Tell me in the comments below about your favorite holiday tradition and how you could use a Kikkoman product for one of the recipes on your next holiday menu!

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Answer my question in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 11/28/16 – 12/31/16

Be sure to visit the Kikkoman Brand Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Win Free Stuff

Comments

  1. Will G says

    My favorite tradition is watching Elf.

    I could use the bread crumbs to make green bean casserole!

  4. Nicole Martin says

    My favorite thing to make with these is mozzarella bites… I could do an Italian themed dinner this Christmas… 😉 And my favorite holiday tradition is baking cookies with my kids.

  5. Alli Smith says

    My family loves squash casserole. I normally use the little yellow summer squash and I’ve never made a casserole with butternut squash. I need to try your recipe soon. It looks so yummy and I like the panko bread crumb topping.

  6. Mimi Green says

    I wasn’t convinced by reading the name. I’m still not 100% convinced but the pictures certainly make me curious. It looks good.

  7. Shirley Wood says

    I’ll be Pinning this recipe so I can try it. We love Butternut Squash at our house.
    My favorite holiday tradition is going to the movies with my sweetheart. We try to always go to the movies on Christmas Day and I look forward to it every year.

  8. Julie Wood says

    I make Coconut chicken for the Holidays as an appetizer with a dip and everyone loves it! I would use the Panko kikkoman bread crumbs to coat my chicken and give it a crunchy flavor.

    • Julie Wood says

      My favorite Holiday tradition is making Decorated Holiday Sugar Cookies with my kids!

  10. lisa says

    I just tried butternut squash this Thanksgiving for the first time. I loved it. I can’t wait to try this recipe.

  13. Elena says

    My favorite tradition is to bake Christmas cookies. I would use Kikkoman to marinate my turkey

  15. Mita says

    I would use Kikkoman to marinate chicken, I like baking cookies with family.

  17. Rachel says

    My favorite holiday tradition is driving around to find the best decorated houses on Christmas Eve.

    • Rachel says

      I would use the Kikkoman panko bread crumbs as a topping for macaroni and cheese.

  20. Sarah Bailey says

    I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything quite like this, it definitely sounds like an interesting dish though!

  21. heather says

    A favorite holiday tradition we have is making a ton of Christmas cookies and decorating them all. For my next holiday dish I am going to use Kikkoman on chicken that sounds amazing.

  22. Jessica To says

    My favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree with my son. I would use the Panko bread crumbs on top of baked mac and cheese.

  24. Dana Rodriguez says

    My favorite tradition is baking Christmas cookies. I use Kikkoman Panko on my Chicken Parm!

  26. Jennifer W says

    I usually take a day off work to make Christmas cookies and watch Christmas movies. Kikkoman bread crumbs would be awesome in the mac and cheese my sister makes every year.

  29. SIlvia says

    This looks delicious! I’ll definitely have to try this and even take it to a holiday party for a side dish! Thanks for sharing! My favorite tradition is getting together with family & friends. I’m sure I could use this for so many things but I have a peach cobbler in mind!

    Silvia
    http://www.lovelysilvia.com

  30. Teresa says

    I pretty much love anything cooked in Panko! I use it to fry cheeses, meats, scalloped potatoes. All the yummy stuff just ramps up when Panko is used!

  31. RaNesha says

    I shared your recipe I know a few people who really love Squash. Unfortunately I am not a fan, but the recipe sounds good

  33. Rebecca Swenor says

    The butter squash casserole with the Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping sounds delicious. We all love butter squash in my family or any squash for that matter. I have to admit I have never made a squash casserole before so this recipe I will have to try. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.

  35. HilLesha says

    One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating the tree with my family. I’d use the breads crumbs in a macaroni and cheese casserole. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

  37. Bonnie @wemake7 says

    That looks really yummy. I can’t wait to make this soon! Thanks for the recipe.

  39. Margaret Smith says

    My favorite Holiday Tradition is trimming the tree with my kids.
    I use Panko when I make breaded chicken cutlets and when I make meatballs.
    Thanks so much.

  41. Tari Lawson says

    My favorite holiday tradition is making gingerbread cookies with my kids.

  42. Natalie says

    My favorite holiday tradition is going cross country skiing with my family on Christmas day!

  44. Adrienne Gordon says

    Our favorite tradition is a movie xmas day and we could use the bread crumbs in our casserole.

  45. Suzanne K says

    My favorite holiday tradition is spending time with friends and family. I could use the Panko bread crumbs for an old style Wiener Schnitzel (I’ve been craving one lately)

  47. Denise S says

    My favorite tradition is baking sugar cookies and fudge with the kids. I want to try this recipe too!

  48. Anosa says

    I love butternut squash but never had it like this before, thanks for the recipe definitely pinning

  49. Debbi Wellenstein says

    Our favorite holiday tradition is watching Christmas movies during the holidays. We also make homemade chicken nuggets for the kids, and Kikkoman Panko is what we use!

  50. Gladys says

    I like butternut squash dishes but haven’t tried making one myself yet. I am definitely interested in trying out this recipe – it looks great

  51. Christina Aliperti says

    I love butternut squash but I never thought to make it like this. I bet the crunch of the panko is amazing with the velvety texture of the squash.

  52. Sandy H says

    We make an easy dinner for Christmas eve and I could do a stir fry with their teriyaki sauce which I love.

  53. Michelle Poole says

    I love Christmas and everything about it. One of our favorite traditions to is gather at my mom’s house on Christmas eve. Everyone brings an appetizer or dessert, and we feast while we visit with our loved ones. Later, the kids all get to open one present before we hustle them off to bed to await a visit from Santa. I will be using Kikkoman soy sauce in my bacon-wrapped water chestnut recipe, which is so yummy! I will also be using Kikkoman panko bread crumbs in my cocktail meatball recipe! I can hardly wait for Christmas eve.

  55. Julie Matek says

    My favorite holiday tradition is making my grandmother’s sugar cookies recipe with my family. I would use the kikkoman product on tilapia:)

  56. Char says

    Wow, thank you so much for this! I tweeted as iceyninja, you are so awesome!!

  57. Steve Weber says

    My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas Eve.

    I would use the bread crumbs to bread the popcorn shrimp!

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

  61. Annalisa Kraft says

    I think I could make a savory yam casserole with Kikkoman panko bread crumbs instead of the traditional too sweet yam casserole I usually make for the holidays.

  62. Susan Smith says

    My favorite tradition is baking Christmas cookies. I would use Panko bread crumbs to bread my butterfly shrimp.

  64. CHERYL A says

    My favorite holiday tradition is to take our son to an annual Winter festival/tree lighting. There are so many things to do and we always have a blast.

    I actually have had a recipe bookmarked for an apple cranberry crisp that I’ve been meaning to make. It calls for panic bread crumbs for the topping so I’m sure Kikkoman panic would work wonderfully.

  66. Brooke Allen says

    Our holiday traditions vary depending on whether I have enough money to visit my parents or not. Breadcrumbs are very useful for many recipes, and I also like their soy sauce.

  68. Lisa Brown says

    Favorite tradition: watching “The Christmas List” and I would use the Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs in a sweet potato casserole

  70. Ashley C says

    My favorite holiday tradition is watching christmas movies on Christmas eve while drinking homemade hot chocolate! This panko would be soooo good on a mac and cheese casserole!

  71. mami2jcn says

    I would use the bread crumbs for our shrimp appetizers.

    Our tradition is opening gifts on Christmas Eve.

  73. Candace Miller says

    I thinks the breadcrumbs would be great with baked chicken breast. I love watching holiday movies with my kids.

  74. CR Williams says

    One holiday tradition is to always cook honey glazed ham, I would def use Kikoman to help with the glaze on the ham.

  76. Garf says

    I still have a lot of organic squash that I harvested from my garden. Both my husband and I are enjoying them. However, we have yet to try making some Butternut Squash Casserole with Panko Parmesan Breadcrumb topping.

  77. Jessie C. says

    Baking sugar cookies is my favorite holiday tradition. I would use Kikkoman soy sauce to make mongolian beef.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  79. Audrey T says

    My favorite holiday tradition is doing Elf on the shelf. I could use the Panko bread crumbs on my green bean casserole.

  81. Jodi daugherty-adams says

    I have not used panko bread crumbs yet, but now I am hungry and adding it to my grocery list

  82. livivua chandler says

    A delicious meatloaf could have the breadcrumbs in it and is also a part of our Christmas foods.

  83. Susan Christy says

    I always look forward to baked blueberry french toast breakfast on Christmas morning while opening stockings in front of the fireplace.

  84. Kristen says

    Every year some friends of have a potluck during the holiday season, and one year I made Aunt Fanny’s Squash Casserole and it was a big hit and now gets requested. I could try baking that with Panko on top

  86. Cheryl B. says

    One favorite tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve. I could use these on my cheesy potato bake.

  90. Grant D says

    I could cook chinese food over the holidays and use kikkoman soy sauce!

  91. Anastasia says

    This looks yummy!! 🙂 My favorite holiday tradition is to go around town and look at all the pretty lights 🙂 I would use kikoman in an orange chicken recipe! 🙂

  93. Rebecca says

    I think I could use some little soy sauce in making hot wings as a snack on Christmas. My guys love hot wings and can’t get enough of them!

  95. Barbara Montag says

    My sis and I see a Christmas show or play each holiday season.
    So my favorite tradition.
    I would use the Kikkoman soy sauce for saucy chicken wings.
    thank you

  97. Elle says

    I could use soy sauce for a delicious stir fry recipe. A holiday tradition is baking cookies together.

  102. Jeffrey says

    Our favorite holiday tradition is on New Year’s Eve. My family runs a 5K that starts at 11:45 at night and you get to run through the new year. We all have a blast, this will be our 6th year in a row! I will use Kikkoman to spruce of my green beans.

  104. Kimmy Ripley says

    I would use the panko to make coconut shrimp appetizer! Love it with mango dipping sauce.

  105. Debbie B says

    we have a tradition of making lots of appetizers for Christmas Eve – there is a recipe on the kikkoman website for Crab Stuffed Mushrooms using the planko bread crumbs

  107. Jennifer Dunaway says

    I would use it on my green bean casserole. My green bean casserole is my favorite tradition.

  108. Cynthia C says

    My favorite tradition is hosting the family holiday meals. I like using soy sauce in my bacon wrapped water chestnut appetizers.

  113. Ellie Wright says

    My favorite tradition is the treasure hunt we set up for the kids
    on Christmas morning.
    We leave clues all around the house that eventually lead to the first gift
    they get to open.

    I would try the bread crumbs to top Man n cheese.

  115. al says

    Good, but MY favorite holiday dish is meatballs made with parmesan bread crumbs.

  116. Laurie Strebe says

    Could use Kikkoman Bread crumbs to make bite size meatballs for a wonderful treat! Great substitution for the saltines I normally use!

  117. Michelle H. says

    My favorite holiday tradition is to make Salvadorean turkey for my family (although I am not Salvadorean). I could use the panko as a topping for vegetable dishes and for meatballs.

  118. Julie Matek says

    My favorite holiday tradition is making my grandmother’s sugar cookies with my family. I would use kikkoman bread crumbs in my green bean casserole;)

  119. sandra says

    i could probably add the kikkoman to the sweet potato casserole we usually make for holiday dinners

  120. susan smoaks says

    my favorite holiday tradition is getting together with family and enjoying each other and talking.

  122. Bryan Vice says

    WOW!!! Thank you so much for these recipes i have some picky kids lol my daughter walked by the computer while i was looking at some recipes and she said yummy so i’ve definitely gotta try some! here is the link that i sent to twitter :
    https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beckysbestbites.com%2Fhealthier-butternut-squash-casserole-kikkoman-panko-bread-crumbs%2F&text=Healthier%20Butternut%20Squash%20Casserole%20with%20Panko%20Parmesan%20Breadcrumb&via=rbrosemer&related=rbrosemer

  124. MelissaDavis says

    Just found this website . I can’t wait to use the recipes on my weight loss program .

  125. angie says

    Unfortunately, there is nothing on any of my holiday menus where I could use something by Kikkoman BUT I do use this brand of panko and sauces all year long to make my deep fried tofu with spicy peanut sauce! YUM!

  127. Senna Kory says

    My favorite holiday meal has to be homemade tacos! We stir fry vegetables and could use Kikkoman soy sauce with them!

  129. Carol Burgess says

    Traditions are everyone cooking together. My grandfather makes Irish stew so the kikkoman would be really good with that

  130. Kimberly Hilbert says

    My husband makes some very nice au gratin potatoes and the panko would be great on top.

  131. Stephanie Phelps says

    My favorite holiday tradition is the whole family going to pick out the tree. I would use Kikkoman soy sauce in my green bean casserole!

  136. Thomas Murphy says

    I like baking x-mas cookies every year. I could make chicken with the Kikkoman products.

  138. Francine Anchondo says

    My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas Eve pizza and I would us Kikkoman product for seafood

  139. ASHLEY MEGGITT says

    My favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree and letting my kids take turns every year putting on the star! We make a big deal of it! We wear our Christmas PJ’s, make hot cocoa with marshmallows AND whipped cream, listen to classic Christmas music, and we say a prayer around the tree when we are finished!

  140. Heidi b says

    My favorite is stuffed mushrooms and we use larger breadcrumbs right now in it, we could easily try these instead. Thanks, love squash and recipe ideas!

  143. Jammie says

    We always have a small New Years Eve party I could use Pankp bread crumbs to help make my appetizers.

  144. Giant Sis says

    My favorite tradition is helping my mother-in-law decorate Christmas cookies!

  148. Elizabeth says

    We sometimes grill for Christmas dinner in spite of the cold. We make a marinade for chicken that uses Kikkoman soy sauce!

  149. Tabathia B says

    One of our favorites would be watching a christmas story and polar express while baking. I would use the panko bread crumbs to make chicken strips for the kids.

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  151. Jerry Marquardt says

    I do not shy away from butternut squash during the holidays just because it is a pain to peel or chop because it tastes so great!

  156. Kathryn C says

    #SweepstakesEntry- comment

    well I’m also not a squash fan but I would use these breadcrumbs for fried shrimp or flounder!

  157. Sarah L says

    I like opening one present on Christmas Eve and then going to Midnight Mass.
    Thanks for the contest.

  159. Yvonne Delgado says

    We usually watch Its A Wonderful Life & then play the game by the same name with familyeach year as a tradition. We make lots of snacks like baked chicken using these bread crumbs Panko style for the kids and all sorts of other kinds of finger fooods

  160. Richard Hicks says

    We always eat a big dinner on xmas eve and open gifts. Would use the kikkoman in stuffing

  162. Susan Biddle says

    My favorite holiday tradition is cooking and eating! I use panko bread crumbs to make toppings for shrimp scampi, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, and to bread buffalo chicken strips. I haven’t tried the Kikoman brand or used them during holidays yet although I might now that I read your recipe! I LOVE butternut squash and usually just prepare it by cutting it in half and scooping the middles, covering the halves in coconut or EVOO, then putting brown sugar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg in the dip and roasting them.

  164. Janice Gabriel says

    My favorite family tradition is our family meal at Christmas. I would use Kikkoman soy sauce in making the green bean casserole for this meal!