This Savory Butternut Squash Pie is a beautiful marriage of sweet roasted butternut squash and melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions, all nestled in a flaky crust and bound together with a savory custard. Perfect for fall gatherings, weeknight dinners, or as a stunning side dish, this pie combines simplicity with sophisticated flavors that will impress your family and friends without keeping you in the kitchen all day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The natural sweetness of butternut squash and caramelized onions is beautifully balanced by tangy feta cheese and aromatic herbs.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Almost every component can be prepared days in advance, making this an excellent option for busy schedules or holiday planning.
Versatile Serving Options: Works wonderfully as a main dish with a simple salad or as a side dish for holiday meals alongside roasted meats.
Impressive Presentation: The golden custard studded with colorful squash and herbs makes for a stunning presentation that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen (when you actually didn’t!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butternut Squash: Provides natural sweetness and a beautiful color. Make sure to cut it into small, even pieces for quick, uniform roasting.
Olive Oil: Used for roasting the squash and caramelizing the onions. Don’t skimp here – a good quality olive oil adds wonderful flavor.
Onions: The star of the show! They transform from sharp and pungent to wonderfully sweet after caramelizing. This process takes time but requires minimal attention.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and a hint of sweetness to the caramelized onions. It helps deglaze the pan and concentrates the flavors.
Pie Crust: Use a spelt crust for a nutty flavor or a classic butter crust for traditional richness. The foundation of your pie deserves quality attention.
Eggs: Provide structure to the custard filling. Room temperature eggs blend more evenly with other ingredients.
Milk & Heavy Cream: Creates a silky, rich custard that holds everything together. The combination gives the perfect consistency.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. It’s the secret ingredient that makes people wonder what makes this pie so good.
Feta Cheese: Contributes a salty punch and creamy texture. Its tanginess cuts through the sweetness of the vegetables.
Green Onions & Thyme: Bright, fresh herb flavors that complement the earthy sweetness of the squash and onions. Fresh herbs make a noticeable difference here.

Variations

Cheese Options

Swap feta for goat cheese for a creamier texture, or try sharp cheddar for a more classic flavor profile. Blue cheese works wonderfully for those who enjoy its bold taste.

Herb Substitutions

Fresh sage or rosemary can replace thyme for different aromatic notes. Dried herbs work in a pinch (use 1/3 the amount of fresh).

Vegetable Add-ins

Add roasted mushrooms for an earthy flavor boost, or mix in some barely cooked kale or spinach for extra nutrients and color.

Protein Addition

Fold in some cooked bacon bits or diced ham to make this pie even more substantial as a main dish.

How to Make Savory Butternut Squash Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil and salt on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender with caramelized edges. Meanwhile, start your onions in a heavy-bottomed pan with olive oil over medium heat for the first 10 minutes.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

Reduce heat to medium-low and let onions cook slowly, stirring occasionally. After about 35-40 minutes total, they’ll become deeply golden and jammy. Finish with balsamic vinegar for an extra flavor boost. This step is where magic happens – don’t rush it!

Step 3: Prepare the Crust

Roll out your chosen pie dough, fit it into a 9-inch pie plate, and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, freeze for 15 minutes, then blind bake at 425°F for 20 minutes with pie weights, followed by 5 minutes without weights.

Step 4: Create the Filling

Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Gently fold in the roasted squash, caramelized onions, feta cheese, green onions, and fresh thyme.

Step 5: Bake the Pie

Pour the filling into the par-baked crust and bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes until the custard is set and golden. Let cool for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set properly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Even Squash Cubes: Cut your butternut squash into uniform ¼-inch pieces so they roast evenly.
Patience with Onions: Don’t rush the caramelization process. Low and slow is the secret to deeply flavored, sweet onions without burning.
Cold Pie Dough: Keep your pie dough cold at all times for the flakiest crust. If it starts to soften while you’re working with it, pop it back in the fridge.
Check for Doneness: The pie is done when the center is just set but still has a slight jiggle – it will continue to firm up as it cools.
Rest Before Cutting: Allow the pie to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before cutting for cleaner slices and to let the flavors settle.

How to Serve

Main Dish Serving

Pair with a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pie. A simple arugula salad with lemon dressing works beautifully.

Side Dish Pairing

Serve alongside roasted chicken or pork tenderloin for a complete meal. The savory pie complements simply prepared proteins wonderfully.

Temperature Considerations

This pie is delicious served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for buffets or gatherings where timing might be flexible.

Garnish Ideas

A sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves, a drizzle of good olive oil, or an extra crumble of feta on top adds a beautiful finishing touch just before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight, making this a perfect make-ahead dish.

Freezing

While you can freeze the baked pie for up to 2 months, the texture of the custard may change slightly upon thawing. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.

Reheating

Warm individual slices in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Cover with foil if the crust starts to brown too much.

Component Prep

You can prepare the caramelized onions and roasted squash up to 5 days ahead and store refrigerated. The pie crust can be made and frozen up to a month in advance.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cut butternut squash to save time?
Absolutely! Pre-cut squash works perfectly in this recipe and saves significant prep time. Just make sure the pieces are relatively uniform in size (about ¼-inch) for even roasting. If the pre-cut pieces are larger, cut them smaller before roasting.

Why did my pie filling curdle?
Curdling usually happens when the pie is baked at too high a temperature or for too long. Make sure your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer helps), and remove the pie when the center is just set but still has a slight jiggle. The custard will continue to firm up as it cools.

Can I make this pie dairy-free?
Yes! Replace the milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk, and use a dairy-free feta alternative (several brands make excellent ones now). The results won’t be identical but will still be delicious with a slightly different flavor profile.

How do I know when my caramelized onions are done?
Properly caramelized onions should be deeply golden brown (not burnt), very soft, and sweet-tasting with no sharp onion bite remaining. They reduce significantly in volume and have a jam-like consistency. This process takes at least 40-45 minutes – there’s no real shortcut to this flavor development.

Final Thoughts

This Savory Butternut Squash Pie is one of those special recipes that manages to be both comforting and elegant at the same time. While it does take some time to prepare, most of it is hands-off, and the results are absolutely worth it. The combination of sweet roasted squash and meltingly tender caramelized onions creates a depth of flavor that’s truly memorable. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday gathering or a cozy weeknight dinner, this pie is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Give yourself the gift of these flavors – your friends and family will thank you!

Savory Butternut Squash Pie Recipe