Squash and Rice Gratin
Squash and Rice Gratin is a comforting baked casserole dish that combines tender squash, fluffy rice, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Typically featuring ingredients like butternut or acorn squash, Arborio or long-grain rice, cream, cheese, and herbs, it is a popular side dish in North American and European home cooking, especially during autumn and winter.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the rice and squash, with a moderate to high fat content due to the cream and cheese. It provides a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and potassium, with a typical serving ranging from 350 to 500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 mcg |
| Potassium | 380 mg |
| Calcium | 250 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Folate | 60 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The dish is a classic example of a 'gratin,' a French culinary technique where a dish is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown. Nutritionally, the squash provides a rich source of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, supporting eye health.
