Cheesy Delicata Squash and Kale Casserole

From the kitchen of Carly

Roasted delicata squash gets tender and sweet, then layers into a creamy ricotta casserole with tangy raisin-vinegar sauce and toasted hazelnuts. Kale adds earthiness; melted cheese brings it all together into one deeply satisfying, vegetable-forward bake.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 11/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 11 cup golden raisins
  • 11 large delicata squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), cut into 1/4" half-moons
  • 15 sprigs thyme
  • 13 garlic cloves
  • 14 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for pan
  • 11 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 11 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 11/2 cup hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 18 ounces ricotta
  • 13/4 cup heavy cream
  • 18 ounces low-moisture shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 11/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 11/2 bunch (about 6 ounces) Tuscan kale, stemmed, thinly sliced
  • 1A 2-quart baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Bring vinegar and 1/3 cup water to a simmer in a small pot. Remove from heat. Add raisins, cover, and let sit until ready to use.

  2. Divide squash, thyme, and garlic between 2 rimmed baking sheets; arrange in a single layer. Toss with 2 Tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Roast 12 minutes. Toss, then add hazelnuts to 1 section of 1 sheet. Continue to roast until hazelnuts are toasted and browned and squash is tender and cooked through, about 6 minutes more.

  3. Whisk ricotta and cream in a medium bowl until smooth. Add 6 oz. mozzarella, 3/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/2 tsp. pepper and whisk to combine. Remove thyme leaves from stems and add to cheese mixture. Coarsely chop garlic, add to cheese mixture, and stir to combine.

  4. Transfer hazelnuts to a large bowl. Add panko, 2 Tbsp. oil, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and toss to combine. Set aside 1/4 cup panko mixture.

  5. Drain raisins. Add kale, squash, and raisins to remaining panko mixture in large bowl and toss to combine.

  6. Grease 2-qt. baking dish with oil. Add half of squash mixture, then dollop with half of cheese mixture. Top with remaining squash mixture, then dollop with remaining cheese mixture. Top with remaining 2 oz. mozzarella and reserved 1/4 cup panko.

  7. Bake casserole until mozzarella is melted and browned in spots and edges are bubbling, 12, 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.