Savory Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie


A hearty, veggie-packed Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie for your holiday table.

This vegan kale and butternut squash pie has it all--it's filling, comforting, delicious and healthy. The filling is made of cubes of seasonal and fresh butternut squash and healthy kale. On top is a flaky, layered vegan sourdough pie crust (you can use a regular pie crust) that rises a mile high! Your guests won't be able to hold back from digging into this pie. The filling is gluten-free and the pie is soy-free and can be nut-free.

Overhead shot of a slice of vegan butternut squash pie with kale and cashews on a white plate with fork and partial view of full pie in background.

Here's a holiday meal that's satisfying, clean, delicious and won't cling to your waist for months and years to come: a gorgeous and savory Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie.

This is truly a healthy pot pie. The filling of seasonal butternut squash cubes, kale and onions, with optional cashew nuts, is so tasty, it almost overshadows that crispy, flaky and golden vegan sourdough pie crust. The crust, of course, has the goodness of sourdough to keep your belly happy.

This is one of my favorite pot pies and it's one I make all winter long, not just for the holidays. It always gets lots of compliments, even from the carnivores and the veggie haters. 🙂

Why you'll love this Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie

  • It's delicious. The savory stuffing of kale, onions and butternut squash is garlicky and flecked with aromatic sage and rosemary. The crust is flaky, crispy and so tasty everyone will be digging in hungrily.
  • It's easy to make. The filling is super easy to put together and takes just minutes. I use precut butternut squash cubes to keep chopping to a minimum. And while I did use my homemade vegan sourdough pie crust in this recipe, you can use a storebought puff pastry crust with equally good results. You can also try my homemade whole wheat vegan puff pastry crust, which has half the fat.
  • It's healthy. Most of us don't care enough for healthy around the holidays but why not if you can combine healthy with tasty? Butternut squash and kale are both health superstars, and they are both so delicious you simply can't go wrong.
Front shot showing the crispy layers of vegan sourdough puff pastry and kale butternut filling.

Ingredients

  • 2 vegan sourdough pie crusts. Or use two sheets of storebought puff pastry or my vegan whole wheat puff pastry crust.
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Or use avocado oil or another vegetable oil.
  • 1 heaping tablespoon garlic. Minced or crushed.
  • 1 medium onion.
  • 2 pounds butternut squash, cubed.
  • ½ pound lacinato kale. Any kale is fine.
  • ¼ cup raw cashews. This is optional and you can leave out if nut-free.
  • 1 tablespoon sage + 1 tablespoon rosemary. You can sub with oregano, thyme and/or marjoram.
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste.
  • 4 oz vegan mozzarella cheese shreds.

How to make Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie

  • Heat a large skillet. Add olive oil and garlic and let the garlic cook, stirring, until aromatic and lightly colored.
  • Add the onions to the skillet along with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Saute for a few minutes until the onions have softened.
  • Garlic sauteing in olive oil.
  • Onions in skillet with garlic.
  • Add the kale to the pot and cook until it has wilted. Add the butternut squash cubes along with the cashews, herbs and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
  • Continue cooking for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the butternut squash cubes are slightly tender but not fully cooked. They will continue cooking in the oven. Set the filling aside to cool.
  • Kale cooking in skillet.
  • Butternut squash kale cooking in pot.
  • Set a rack in the lowest position in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Roll out one pie or puff pastry crust and line a 2 ½ or 3 quart baking dish with it. Tuck any overhanging dough underneath at the edges.
  • Pour in the kale and butternut squash filling and spread it around evenly. Top with the vegan cheese shreds. Place the baking dish in the fridge while you roll out the top crust.
  • Pie crust in baking dish.
  • butternut squash kale stuffing cheese shreds in baking dish.
  • Place the top crust over the kale-butternut filling and fold in any overhanging dough. Crimp the edges with a fork and cut vents in the top crust to help any steam escape. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to an hour. The butternut squash should feel tender and a knife should go cleanly through, or give more time.
  • Let the pie stand for 15 minutes before serving.
  • Overhead shot of vegan sourdough pie crust.
  • Baked vegan butternut squash kale pie
Overhead shot of a slice of vegan kale butternut squash pie on white plate with partial view of full pie with ladle in background.

Tips and substitutions

  • To make the pie nut-free, leave out the cashews. You can use pumpkin seeds, if you wish, but they are not necessary.
  • You can use another leafy, like spinach, in this recipe, although keep in mind that spinach will reduce considerably so you will need more of it. The kale also has a toothsome texture, which spinach won't have.
  • For more protein in this pie, you can add cubes of baked tofu or a 14 oz can of beans like white beans or chickpeas. Do adjust the seasoning if you use beans and make sure the filling tastes good to you before you put it in the pie.

Storing the vegan butternut squash kale pie

  • You can make the filling up to two days ahead and refrigerate.
  • The crust can also be made ahead. You can freeze the crust dough for up to three months, then thaw and roll out for the pie.
  • The baked pie can be covered and refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat in oven so the crust crisps back up. For longer storage, wrap tightly in two layers of freezer wrap and freeze. Thaw and reheat before eating.

Related recipes

Vegan butternut squash and kale pie in baking dish with a portion on a white plate.
Overhead image of a slice of vegan butternut squash kale pie in white plate
Print

Savory Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie

This vegan kale and butternut squash pie has it all--it's filling, comforting, delicious and healthy. The filling is made of cubes of seasonal and fresh butternut squash and healthy kale. On top is a flaky, layered vegan sourdough pie crust (you can use a regular pie crust) that rises a mile high! The filling is gluten-free and the pie is soy-free and can be nut-free.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword Vegan Butternut Squash and Kale Pie
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 320kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 2½ to 3 quart baking dish
  • Baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe vegan sourdough pie crust (recipe makes two crusts. Can use regular pie crust or storebought crust or 2 sheets of puff pastry)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 heaping tablespoon garlic (minced or crushed)
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 pounds butternut squash (cut in ½-inch dice)
  • ½ pound lacinato kale (or any variety of kale)
  • ½ cup raw cashews
  • 1 tablespoon sage (use 1 teaspoon if using dry)
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary (use 1 teaspoon if using dry)
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 oz vegan mozzarella cheese shreds
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet. Add olive oil and garlic and let the garlic cook, stirring, until aromatic and lightly colored.
  • Add the onions to the skillet along with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Saute for a few minutes until the onions have softened.
  • Add the kale to the pot and cook until it has wilted. Add the butternut squash cubes along with the cashews, herbs and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
  • Continue cooking for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the butternut squash cubes are slightly tender but not fully cooked. They will continue cooking in the oven. Set the filling aside to cool.
  • Set a rack in the lowest position in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Roll out one pie or puff pastry crust and line a 2 ½ or 3 quart baking dish with it. Tuck any overhanging dough underneath at the edges.
  • Pour in the kale and butternut squash filling and spread it around evenly. Top with the vegan cheese shreds. Place the baking dish in the fridge while you roll out the top crust.
  • Place the top crust over the kale-butternut filling and fold in any overhanging dough. Crimp the edges with a fork and cut vents in the top crust to help any steam escape. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to an hour. The butternut squash should feel tender and a knife should go cleanly through, or give more time.
  • Let the pie stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To make the pie nut-free, leave out the cashews. You can use pumpkin seeds, if you wish, but they are not necessary.
  • You can use another leafy, like spinach, in this recipe, although keep in mind that spinach will reduce considerably so you will need more of it. The kale also has a toothsome texture, which spinach won't have.
  • For more protein in this pie, you can add cubes of baked tofu or a 14 oz can of beans like white beans or chickpeas. Do adjust the seasoning if you use beans and make sure the filling tastes good to you before you put it in the pie.
  • You can make the filling up to two days ahead and refrigerate.
  • The crust can also be made ahead. You can freeze the crust dough for up to three months, then thaw and roll out for the pie.
  • The baked pie can be covered and refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat in oven so the crust crisps back up. For longer storage, wrap tightly in two layers of freezer wrap and freeze. Thaw and reheat before eating.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Potassium: 643mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 15473IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 3mg

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