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    Roasted Butternut Squash

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Budget Cooking Dairy-Free Recipes Gluten Free Plant Based Recipes Real Food Side Dishes September 9, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 11 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Roasted Butternut Squash is a staple recipe! It is a simple base recipe that's seasonings can be changed up a million different ways, for a healthy, easy side dish.

    This recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, evenly cooked, and perfectly seasoned. It is an easy, healthy way to prepare butternut squash that can be served as a side dish or in recipes calling for roasted squash.

    Bowl of Roasted Butternut Squash.

    Roasted for the Best Flavor

    Nothing beats perfectly roasted butternut squash.

    As the butternut squash roasts in the oven, it becomes tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. The oven caramelizes the squash, bringing out its natural sweet undertones and ultimately intensifies the nutty, earthy flavor of butternut squash.

    Roasted Butternut Squash is a delicious, healthy side dish, but it also makes a great addition to salads and rice bowls.

    Frankly, the roasted squash rarely makes it off the sheet pan, because no one can stop munching on it!

    What you Need

    • Butternut Squash: I LOVE to save money and help you save money, so rarely would I ever suggest purchasing pre-chopped veggies. But the exception to this rule is butternut squash. More often than not, I can purchase 36 ounces of chopped butternut squash for the same price I can purchase one 4-pound butternut squash, which equates to about the same amount of cubed squash once peeled, stemmed, and seeds removed.  And friends, it takes WORK to cut a butternut squash! So unless you have them growing in your garden, this is one time I suggest taking a little help from the store.
    • Oil: Use olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or even melted coconut oil. Just keep in mind coconut oil will give the squash a nutty flavor.
    • Seasonings: Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or use one of the seasoning ideas below.
    • Baking Sheet: I can not stress enough the importance of a rimmed baking sheet. This may sound obvious, but take it from me, you don't want a piece of butternut squash to fall off your baking sheet into your hot oven--what a mess! Those rimmed edges let you move your pan around with ease and flip the squash without worry one piece will go overboard!
    • Parchment Paper: Because butternut squash's natural sugars caramelize as it roasts, it can easily stick to the pan. The parchment paper will help keep the squash from sticking to the pan, while not requiring as much oil as most recipes call for. Feel free to use a silicone liner or foil in place of the parchment paper, but do not use wax paper (it is not safe for the oven!) Alternatively, you can just grease the baking sheet or toss your squash with ½ tablespoon more olive oil.

    How to Roast Butternut Squash

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. It is best to roast squash at a high enough temperature that will allow the exterior to crisp up. But you want to be sure that the oven is not too hot, as that would result in the outside of the squash being cooked before the inside is nice and tender. Important tip: Be sure your oven is fully preheated before placing squash in the oven! The rapid heating of the oven will result in the squash browning too rapidly. 
    • If you DO have whole butternut squash, cut it into 1-inch cubes. Do this by cutting off both ends of the butternut squash. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of the squash. Cut the squash in half, separating the skinny neck of the squash from the thick round bottom of the butternut squash. Cut the bottom of the squash in half to reveal the seeds in the squash, and use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds from the squash. Cut into slices and then cube the squash.
    Cutting board with cubed butternut squash.
    • Place the squash into a large mixing bowl and toss with oil, salt, and pepper. This is where you can change up the seasonings if you would like. You can add things like cinnamon, thyme, paprika, etc. 
    Bowl of cubed butternut squash seasoned with olive oil and salt and pepper.
    • Spread the squash out onto a rimmed baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or greased well with oil. Be sure to spread the seasoned squash out in a single layer and not overlap the cubed squash. This will allow the squash to cook and brown evenly.
    Butternut squash spread out in evenly layer on baking sheet.
    • Roast. Bake for 20 minutes, flip, and continue to bake for at least another 20 minutes, or until squash is tender and browned slightly.
    Spatula scooping up roasted squash.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve as a healthy side dish to meals such as Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin or Blackened Mahi Mahi.
    • Use the roasted squash in place of roasted sweet potatoes--like Sweet Potato Burritos or add it to Vegetarian Enchiladas
    • Add the roasted squash to breakfast hashes, omelets, pasta, Instant Pot Risotto, or use as a taco filling. 
    • Add Roasted Butternut Squash to Roasted Butternut Squash Salad or Harvest Quinoa Salad 

    Storage Instructions

    Roasted Squash can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    Alternatively, you can freeze the roasted squash. Once the squash is roasted, allow it to cool right on the parchment-covered sheet pan. Pop the sheet pan into the freezer and allow it to freeze until solid. This should take about an hour. Once frozen solid, remove the squash from the parchment paper and place it into a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.

    In order to retain the crispy edges of the squash of roasted squash, I strongly recommend reheating the squash in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10-15 minutes from the refrigerator and 25-30 minutes from the freezer.

    Flavor Variations

    Change up this basic roasted butternut squash recipe with the following flavor additions to the squash before roasting.

    • Thyme Butternut Squash: add 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
    • Cinnamon Brown Sugar Butternut Squash: add 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Maple Butternut Squash: add 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • Garlic Butternut Squash: add 5-7 whole cloves of peeled garlic cloves
    • Spiced Butternut Squash: add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.

    More Recipes for Roasted Vegetables

    • Roasted Broccoli
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Roasted Acorn Squash
    • Roasted Red Potatoes
    • Roasted Asparagus
    • Roasted Carrots

    Try this recipe? Be sure to leave a review and let us know what flavor option you enjoyed!

    Bowl of Butternut Squash

    Roasted Butternut Squash

    Perfectly Roasted Butternut Squash is an easy, healthy way to prepare butternut squash! This easy method for preparing butternut squash is great to eat alone as a healthy side dish or to use in salads.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 131kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium butternut squash about 4 pounds, or 36 ounces chopped butternut squash
    • 1 and ½ tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or grease the pan well with olive oil.
    • Peel and cut the squash into 1 inch cubes.
    • Season the squash with olive oil, salt and pepper. Feel free to add in seasonings of your choice at this step.
    • Spread the squash out evenly onto the prepared pan, ensuring there is enough space around the squash to allow it to evenly brown.
    • Roast for 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and flip the squash over. Roast for at least another 20 minutes, or until squash is tender and browned slightly.

    Equipment Needed

    • Rimmed Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Notes

    Butternut Squash: A huge time-saving tip is to purchase cubed butternut squash from your produce section (not the frozen cubed squash.) Often it is not only a time-saver, but the difference in cost is negligible. 
    Baking Sheet: Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent butternut squash from falling into a hot oven and burning.
    Parchment Paper: Parchment paper really helps to prevent the squash from sticking to the pan, but you can toss with an additional ½ tablespoon olive oil or line your baking sheet with a silicone liner instead. 
    Oven Temp: Be sure your oven is fully preheated before placing squash in the oven! The rapid heating of the oven will result in the squash browning too rapidly.
    Storage: Store for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Reheat in a 400-degree oven for 10-15 minutes from the refrigerator and 20-30 minutes from the freezer. 
    For Different Flavor Varieties:
    • Thyme Butternut Squash: add 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
    • Cinnamon Brown Sugar Butternut Squash: add 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Maple Butternut Squash: add 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • Garlic Butternut Squash: add 5-7 whole cloves of peeled garlic cloves
    • Spiced Butternut Squash: add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 19931IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     

    « Homemade Mulled Cider
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Carolyn Hardaway

      December 23, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy and healthy vegetable! The listing of variations for flavorings was first class. Love the simplicity!!

      Reply
    2. Della Kizer

      October 30, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      Trying to find the recipe for stuffed butternut squash you had listed in the weekly meal plan

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 30, 2020 at 3:41 pm

        Here you go: Stuffed Butternut Squash. Sorry you were having issues finding 🙂

        Reply
    3. Katie

      September 29, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      This was fantastic! Perfectly cooked.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 30, 2020 at 7:14 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    4. Lisalia

      September 29, 2020 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      The BEST way to eat butternut squash! Really brings out the depth of flavor.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 30, 2020 at 7:14 am

        I totally agree! Glad you enjoyed Lisalia!

        Reply
    5. Jennifer Banz

      October 22, 2019 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      This is one vegetable that I really love any kinda way!
      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 22, 2019 at 12:54 pm

        One of my favorites too Jennifer 😉

        Reply
    6. Jessica Formicola

      October 22, 2019 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      We love butternut squash in the fall, and this is our absolute favorite recipe to use! Thanks so much for sharing it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 22, 2019 at 12:55 pm

        YAY!!! Sometimes simple is best!

        Reply

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    Roasted Butternut Squash is a staple recipe! It is a simple base recipe that's seasonings can be changed up a million different ways, for a healthy, easy side dish.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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