Cheesy Phyllo Cups With Butternut Squash Recipes

25-MINUTE CHEESY SAUSAGE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Position an oven rack about 5 inches from the broiling element, and preheat the broiler.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. While the pan is heating, thinly slice the onion; set aside about 1/3 cup for the salad.
• Add the sausage to the pan, and break it up into smaller chunks with a wooden spoon. Stir periodically until it is brown all over, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining onion and the squash. Stir for a minute, then add the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons water, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover partially, and let simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thick, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice the polenta into 1/4-inch rounds. Butter the flameproof baking dish, and shingle the rounds in one layer. Dot the polenta with the pieces of butter. Place the dish under the broiler, and broil the polenta until it is hot and soft, about 4 minutes.
• When the sauce is ready, spread it over the broiled polenta. Top with the fontina and grated Parmesan. Return the casserole to the broiler, and broil until the top is browned and bubbly, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss the spinach in a large bowl with the reserved onion, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve the casserole with the spinach salad on the side.

SKILLET PHYLLO PIE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, KALE, AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place a rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 400°F. Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 6-8 minutes. Add squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, 8-10 minutes. Mix in thyme and red pepper flakes and transfer to a medium bowl; let cool. Wipe out and reserve skillet.
• Add kale, eggs, Parmesan, and lemon zest to squash mixture and gently mix to combine; season with salt and pepper. Layer phyllo sheets inside reserved skillet. Spoon kale-and-squash mixture into phyllo and dot top with goat cheese. Brush edges of phyllo lightly with oil and fold over filling, overlapping slightly, leaving center exposed.
• Cook pie over medium heat until bottom of pastry is just golden (carefully lift up on one side with a heatproof rubber spatula so that you can take a peek), about 3 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake pie until kale is wilted and tender and phyllo is golden brown and crisp, 20-25 minutes. Let pie cool in skillet at least 15 minutes before slicing into wedges.
• Do Ahead
• Pie can be baked 6 hours ahead. Let cool; store uncovered at room temperature.

PHYLLO TRIANGLES WITH SQUASH AND MINT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a knife. Allow squash to cool slightly, then mash with a fork or in a food processor.
• Lower oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet and add scallions. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add to squash and stir together.
• Beat egg in a medium bowl. Add the squash, cheese, mint and salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Melt butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a microwave at 50 percent power, or in a small saucepan.
• Take 1 sheet of phyllo dough at a time and lay it horizontally on your work surface. Cut 2 1/2-inch-wide strips. (You should be able to cut about 6 strips per sheet.) Cover the strips you aren't working with, and the rest of the phyllo, with a damp towel. Brush a strip with the butter-olive oil mixture.
• Place a teaspoonful of filling on the strip, about an inch down from the end. Lift a corner of the pastry and fold over filling diagonally until shorter edge of the strip meets the longer edge. Fold triangle of covered filling down toward you, and continue folding over and down at right angles, until you reach the end of the strip. If the phyllo cracks, or if you simply want a thicker wrapper, double wrap the triangle in a second strip.
• Brush with more melted butter and olive oil to seal the end, and place on baking sheet. Continue making filled triangles in this way.
• Before baking, brush triangles with oil and butter. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve hot.