Imagine biting into a perfectly crisp crostini topped with creamy goat cheese, caramelized butternut squash, and a tantalizing drizzle of balsamic glaze that will make your taste buds dance with delight! This Butternut Squash Sage Goat Cheese Crostini is not just an appetizer – it's a culinary masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant, restaurant-worthy dish that will have your guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 crostini
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 8 oz goat cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel and cube the butternut squash into small, uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Toss the cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Spread the butternut squash cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the edges are golden brown and the squash is tender.
- While the squash roasts, slice the baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on another baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Toast the baguette slices in the same oven for 5-7 minutes until crisp and lightly golden, turning once midway. Remove and let cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix the softened goat cheese with finely chopped fresh sage, adding a pinch of salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Once the roasted butternut squash has cooled for 5 minutes, spread each crostini with a generous layer of the sage-infused goat cheese.
- Top each crostini with a few roasted butternut squash cubes, arranging them carefully to create an appealing presentation.
- Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the crostini, using a light hand to ensure each piece gets a delicate stripe of sweet-tangy flavor.
- Garnish with additional fresh sage leaves if desired, and serve immediately while the crostini are still warm.
Tips
- Cut your butternut squash into uniform pieces to ensure even roasting and consistent cooking.
- Make sure your goat cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing with sage.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting squash – this ensures proper caramelization.
- Toast baguette slices just until they're crisp and golden to prevent burning.
- Prepare components ahead of time: roast squash and toast crostini up to 2 hours before serving.
- For extra flavor, lightly toast the sage leaves before mixing into the goat cheese.
- Use a high-quality balsamic glaze for the most intense and rich flavor.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep the crostini crisp and the cheese creamy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
