25+ Recipes That Make the Most of Butternut Squash (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Side Dishes
  • Vegetables

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated Oct 4, 2022

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25+ Recipes That Make the Most of Butternut Squash (1)

I grew up thinking the only way to eat butternut squash was to mash it with lots of butter, milk, and brown sugar. Although that’s a delicious way to enjoy it (it’s still one of my favorites!), I’ve learned there are many more possibilities when it comes to preparing the vegetable.

Here are a couple dozen butternut squash recipes, plus some basic prep (because it’s probably been a while, and helpful to have a refresh on the best way to cut and peel butternut squash) and cooking instructions — so you can make soups, salads, pastas, and even casseroles with this sweet, hearty fall vegetable.

Butternut Squash Basics

  • How To Cut and Peel a Butternut Squash
  • How to Roast Butternut Squash
  • How to Roast Frozen Butternut Squash

Cozy Soups

A steaming pot of butternut squash soup is the epitome of fall comfort. What’s great is most versions freeze well, too, so you can make a double batch for the future.

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Butternut Squash Soup

We upgraded the classic soup with a few key ingredients (like apples and pumpkin puree) that makes it even better than Panera's.

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Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

A hearty root vegetable soup that's incredibly versatile — and perfect for meal preppers.

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash, sage, and apple join forces in this easy Instant Pot soup that celebrates all the flavors of winter and fall.

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Southwestern Butternut Squash Soup

Cumin and coriander add spicy warmth to this soup while a squeeze of orange and lime give it a hit of late-fall sunshine.

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Roasted Fall Vegetable Soup

You can roast vegetables with the intention of making this soup or you can use whatever roast vegetables you have leftover to make this soup a part of your next-day meal plan.

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Sides of All Kinds

No matter how it’s prepared, sweet and tender butternut squash is the ideal seasonal side dish for roast chicken, fish, and more.

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Air Fryer Butternut Squash

For crispy and tender butternut squash in a fraction of the time, use your air fryer.

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Mashed Butternut Squash

This root vegetable mash is velvety smooth, easy to prepare, and is a great alternative to potatoes at mealtime.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Orange Tahini, Walnuts, andZa’atar

A citrusy tahini sauce, toasted walnuts, and savory za'atar lend big, bold flavor to this simple sheet pan of roasted butternut squash.

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Wild Rice Pilaf with Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries

This wild rice studded with butternut squash, pecans, and dried cranberries can be enjoyed warm or cold.

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Baked Butternut Squash

This timeless fall side dish is simple and versatile enough that you'll find yourself turning to it again and again all season long.

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This hearty kale salad, packed with quinoa, roasted veggies, and a creamy tahini dressing, is absolutely perfect for fall.

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Blue cheese provides bold flavor in this orzo salad, though goat cheese can be substitutted, if you prefer.

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Main Dishes

Of course, turning it into the main event is never a bad idea, either — especially when it’s mac and cheese, pizza, and beyond.

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Vegan Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Shepherd's Pie

A plant-based alternative to a classic dish, this vegan version of shepherd’s pie boasts of a delicious filling of sweet potato, butternut squash, and "meat" crumbles.

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Coconut Shrimp Curry with Butternut Squash and Spinach

This South Indian-inspired curry is made with a paste of fresh coconut, ginger, shallots, and dried red chiles, and is best enjoyed over steamed rice.

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Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Mushrooms, Sausage, and Butternut Squash

This fall-inspired recipe for crispy sheet pan gnocchi comes together in 30 minutes.

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Butternut Squash Ravioli

This fresh pasta will satisfy all of your autumn cravings.

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Butternut Squash Rose Tart

Blossoms made of butternut squash ribbons, sage- and garlic-flecked ricotta, and a tender olive oil crust make for a dish that’s 100 percent worthy of the main event.

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Butternut Squash Risotto

This easy risotto is packed with tender butternut squash and flavored with fresh sage.

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Smoked mozzarella ties together the sweetness of the squash and the heartiness of the kale ever so nicely.

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Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Here's how to make an easy butternut squash mac and cheese that is all flavor and no fuss.

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Butternut Squash and Broccolini Rice Bowl with Soy Chorizo

This easy vegetarian meal is made with some of Trader Joe's best (and cheapest) ingredients.

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Creamy One-Pot Butternut Squash Pasta with White Beans and Kale

This 30-minute vegetarian dinner is packed with protein, thanks to a can of white beans a dollop of Greek yogurt. It cooks all in one pot (sauce and all!), making for easy clean-up.

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Ricotta Toast with Cider-Braised Squash

Butternut squash is braised with apple cider, whole grain mustard, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of brown sugar until tender, then piled atop ricotta toast for the ultimate vegetarian fall dinner.

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Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo

Here, roasted butternut squash is puréed with cream and Parmesan cheese to create a velvety Alfredo sauce that coats every inch of the al dente pasta.

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Rigatoni with Winter Squash and Kale

This hearty fall pasta is filled with kale, sausage, roasted squash and tossed in a sharp and cheesy white wine sauce.

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25+ Recipes That Make the Most of Butternut Squash (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

Line a large roasting tray with baking paper, toss the squash with the oil and roast for 25-30 minutes or until completely soft. 2. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl (discarding the skin). Mash well and leave to cool before mixing in the Parmesan and egg yolk.

What to do with too much butternut squash? ›

Tuck into warming soups, risottos and curries, or serve stuffed squash for a veggie centrepiece. Try these butternut squash recipes, then check out our collections of roasted butternut squash recipes and butternut squash soup recipes.

How does Rachael Ray cook butternut squash? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and drizzle with EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and fresh nutmeg and roast until just tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

Can you freeze butternut squash for later use? ›

Slice the squash into manageable chunks, like 1-inch cubes or slices. Spread the cubes or slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze at least one hour, or until fully frozen. Transfer the frozen squash to a zip-top bag, remove as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for up to a year.

Is it okay to eat a whole butternut squash? ›

You can bake them and eat the whole thing.” Winter squash are harvested from late summer through late fall, then allowed to “cure” in a dry, low-humidity environment, about 70° to 80°F, until the skins are completely dry and hard. “Curing helps the squash toughen and dry out so you can store it longer,” Joyce said.

How to hack butternut squash? ›

Microwave Hack for Easier Butternut Squash Peeling

Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

Should I roast butternut squash face down or up? ›

4) Turn the squash so the flesh is facing down and the skin is up. Roast for 30-40 minutes depending on the size. A fork should easily pierce the skin and sink into the thickest part of the squash.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

Use a sharp knife (or a sturdy vegetable peeler) to carefully remove the skin. Alternatively, the skin can stay on because it's edible when roasted! But if adding to a soup (or recipe where it won't be roasted), remove and discard. Remove any seeds with a spoon or ice cream scoop.

What part of the body is butternut squash good for? ›

Butternut squash, or winter squash, is harvested in the fall but it keeps well for several months. It is a good source of fiber, potassium, and several other key nutrients. The nutritional content of squash makes it beneficial for digestion, blood pressure, and for healthy skin and hair, among others.

What's the difference between butternut and buttercup squash? ›

Buttercup. Not to be confused with the long, tan-hued butternut squash, the buttercup squash is squatter, with dark green skin. Its sweet, nutty flesh is dense and dry, and can be boiled, steamed, or worked into baked goods and casseroles.

What do you do with the skin of a butternut squash? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

Does butternut squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

How should the butternut be prepared for cooking? ›

Peel the uncooked squash (carefully), remove the seedy pulp, and then cut into slices or cubes. Brush or toss the pieces with oil and salt — or experiment with a different marinade. Roast the squash directly on a baking sheet at 425 degrees, turning once or twice to brown and caramelize.

Should butternut squash be cooked face up or face down? ›

You can roast the butternut squash cut side down or cut side up, you will get a more caramelized squash when roasted cut side down. Once it cools a bit scoop the flesh out of the squash halves with a spoon.

Why is my roasted butternut squash soggy? ›

There could be a few reasons why your roasted butternut squash is turning out soggy: Overcrowding: If you overcrowd the baking sheet with butternut squash pieces, they will release more moisture and steam, making it difficult for them to roast properly.

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