Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes {3 Ways}

Name: Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes {3 Ways}
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 small butternut squash, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 carrots, finely chopped; 1 yellow onion, diced; 6 cloves garlic (whole, not minced); 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper; 2 cups vegetable broth; 5 sage leaves (optional but highly recommended); 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 small butternut squash, peeled & sliced in half lengthwise; 1 lb ground turkey; 1 tbsp fennel seeds; 2 tsp paprika; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 2 cups kale; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 butternut squash, diced into 1/2 inch pieces; 2 chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1 bunch broccoli or broccolini; Salt & pepper to taste

These Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes are perfect for fall! Try the roasted butternut squash soup, butternut sheet pan meal or stuffed squash halves.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil such as canola or avocado oil.
Butternut squash – you can try making these recipes with another winter squash like acorn squash.

Butternut squash soup

Carrots – turnips or celery are the best substitutes here.
Yellow onion – white onion, red onion or shallots would also work.
Garlic – fresh garlic cloves are best. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder.
Salt & pepper – to taste.
Vegetable broth – chicken broth would also be good.
Sage leaves – you can leave these out if you don’t have any on hand.

Stuffed squash

Ground turkey – ground chicken or pork would also be good.
Fennel seeds – caraway or anise seeds will provide a similar flavour.
Paprika – cayenne is a good alternative but has a bit more kick.
Garlic powder – try using onion powder instead.
Salt & pepper – to taste.
Kale – swap out for another dark leafy green like spinach or collard greens.

Sheet pan dinner

Chicken breasts – boneless skinless chicken thighs would also work.
Honey – use a pre-made honey Dijon sauce to cut down on prep time.
Dijon mustard – see substitution notes above.
Broccoli – swap out for another vegetable of your choice.
Salt & pepper – to taste.

How to roast butternut squash

Step 1: Microwave the squash.

Preheat oven to 450 F. Microwave squash one at a time for 2 minutes each.

Step 2: Cut the squash.

Peel and slice butternut squash in half lengthwise.

Step 3: Scoop out the seeds.

Scoop out the seeds.

Step 4: Dice the squash.

Dice the squash up into pieces.

Step 5: Toss in seasonings.

Add on the seasonings of your choice based on your recipe.

Step 6: Roast and serve!

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.

How to cut butternut squash

For two of these butternut squash recipes, you will need to dice the squash after peeling it. Follow these steps to make it an easy task:

Microwave the squash for 2 minutes to make cutting into it easier.
Cut the fat section of the squash in half, revealing the seeds.
Scoop out the seeds – you can roast them just like pumpkin seeds!
Dice your three sections of peeled squash into one-inch cubes – you can cut into smaller pieces (about 1/2 inch) so the squash will cook faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you peel butternut squash before roasting it?

Preparation really depends on how you plan to use the squash. The skin of a butternut squash is very tough when raw. If you plan to slow roast the squash, that will give the skin enough time to become soft and edible. You could choose to leave the skin on in this case. If you are going to peel a butternut squash, cut both ends off so the squash is stable on a flat surface. Cut it in half where it starts to widen, then use a serrated knife to peel the skin off. A Y shaped vegetable peeler will also work.

How long does it take for it soften in the oven?

It will take butternut squash about 30 minutes to soften in the oven at 450° Fahrenheit.

How do you prevent it from getting mushy?

For the butternut squash soup, you want very soft squash so that it can be pureed. However, for the roasted butternut squash, you want it to be crisper on the outside and soft on the inside – never outright mushy. To achieve this, do not cover the squash in the oven. You want to allow it to brown on the outside. Keep the temperature high enough to caramelize the exterior.

What do you serve with butternut squash?

As you can see with these recipes, most meats go well with butternut squash. If you want to use butternut squash for other meals, try pairing it with pasta, steak, grilled chicken, pork chops, beans, legumes, green salad, wild rice or quinoa.

The Best Butternut Squash Recipes

Looking to add butternut squash to your weekly meal prep plan? These three recipes offer different ways to cook using the versatile vegetable. You can use roasted squash in so many different ways, but these are some of my favourite recipes.

Sausage Stuffed Squash

Honey Dijon Sheet Pan Dinner

Butternut Squash Soup

Storing and reheating

Store uncut and uncooked butternut squash in a cool dry place for 2 to 3 months. This long shelf life is thanks to its tough skin, which protects the soft interior.

All three of the recipes in this post can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re all great for meal prep! Just remember to store them in airtight containers for best results. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat your meal in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes.

Can you freeze butternut squash?

You can freeze cubed and uncooked butternut squash. Freeze the squash on a baking tray to keep it from sticking together and then transfer to an airtight container. Then, when you want to use it, you can put it directly into the oven or soups. Best part is, there isn't a need to thaw it first!

Pureed butternut squash can be frozen in containers or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. The butternut squash soup can be made and frozen as well.

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Meal prep tools for this recipe

A Y shaped vegetable peeler is the best way to peel squash.
Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these recipes into your weekly lunches.
Freeze cut up squash in glass microwave-safe bowls with lids up to 3 months.
Grab an immersion blender to blend up the roasted squash to make the soup recipe.

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes {3 Ways}

Ingredients and substitutions