Hot Honey Beef Fry Butternut Squash Bake with Maple Glaze
This hearty baked dish layers thinly sliced butternut squash with savory beef fry, creating a unique combination of sweet and smoky flavors. The maple syrup and honey glaze, spiked with hot sauce and smoked paprika, caramelizes beautifully during the long bake. A caramelized onion and brown sugar topping adds richness and depth. Perfect for autumn dinner tables or when you want something comforting yet unexpected. The optional broiling step at the end creates delicious crispy, charred edges that contrast nicely with the tender squash.
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled, sliced in half vertically, and thinly sliced
- 6 tablespoons margarine, divided
- 2 4-ounce packages beef fryturkey bacon1:1
Lighter protein option
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 large Spanish onion, diced
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Coat the bottom of your oven-to-table dish with margarine.
- 3
Slice the beef fry slices in half and place a half slice between each slice of squash as you arrange in the pan.
- 4
Combine maple syrup, honey, hot sauce, and smoked paprika and pour the mixture over the squash and beef fry slices.
- 5
Melt remaining margarine in a saucepan and add the onion and brown sugar.
- 6
Sauté for about 15 minutes, until the onion is slightly golden, the brown sugar is melted, and mixture has thick consistency.
- 7
Pour the onion mixture over the squash, forming a strip down the center.
- 8
Cover and bake for one hour and 15 minutes.
- 9
If desired, uncover and broil for three to five minutes until beef fry and onion become crispy and charred.
Tips
For extra crispy edges, don't skip the optional broiling step at the end - it adds wonderful texture contrast.
Make sure butternut squash slices are uniform thickness for even cooking throughout the long bake time.
The onion mixture should be thick and caramelized before adding to the dish for best flavor development.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven until warmed through.
Can be assembled up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
Serve hot directly from the baking dish. Let rest 5 minutes after removing from oven for easier serving.
Common Mistakes
Don't slice squash too thick or it won't cook through in the allotted time.
Avoid skipping the sautéing step for onions to prevent raw onion flavor in final dish.
Substitutions
Lighter protein option
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire dish up to one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed, adding 10-15 extra minutes to account for starting cold.
What if I can't find beef fry?
You can substitute with turkey bacon, regular bacon cut into pieces, or even omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version with the same delicious flavors.
How long will leftovers keep?
Properly stored leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in a 350°F oven until warmed through for best results.