
A comforting vegetarian main featuring tender butternut squash and juicy cherry tomatoes in a creamy mascarpone sauce, topped with a crunchy walnut and herb crumble. This dish is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and satisfying textures.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas 6). Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 10–12 minutes until softened and translucent, ensuring it doesn't take on any color.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the butternut squash pieces and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash begins to soften.
Mix in the canned cherry tomatoes, mascarpone, and spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper, then cook for a few more minutes until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is well combined. Transfer the mixture into a medium baking dish (approximately 22 x 22 cm).
To make the crumble topping, place the flour and cold butter in a bowl and rub them together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Alternatively, pulse them in a food processor. Stir in the grated Parmesan, cheddar, chopped walnuts, and thyme leaves, then season lightly.
Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the squash filling, being careful not to pack it down. Bake for 30–40 minutes until the squash is completely tender and the crumble is golden and crisp.
For a bit of extra heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the squash mixture. If you want to make this ahead, you can prepare the filling and the crumble separately and store them in the fridge; just assemble and bake when you're ready to eat.





