Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (2024)

Thanks to its smooth, easy-to-peel surface and rich, sweet flavor, butternut squash has become the MVP of the gourd world. Like its relations—other winter squash such as acorn and kabocha—butternuts are at their best from early fall through winter. The big difference is that butternut squash are larger than most other winter squash, ranging in size from 6 to 12 inches long, and in weight from about 2 to 5 pounds. They have a hard, light-tan rind and golden orange flesh.

This vegetable stars in all kinds of favorite fall recipes, such as soups and pasta, and shines during the holiday season when used in side dishes (cue the creamy gratin). It's also used to make a showstopping and beloved Thanksgiving pie. We're fans, so you know we'll be roasting and baking butternut squash through the fall and into winter for purées, soups, and so much more.

What to Look for When Buying Butternut Squash

Choose a butternut squash that feels heavy for its size. The skin should be smooth and uniform in color with a matte surface. Ones with a fat neck and small bulb will have the smallest seed cavity and will yield the most meat. Avoid any that have soft spots, bruises, or mold.

How to Cut Butternut Squash the Right Way

How to Store

Once you find a good one, you'll be pleased to know that it's a keeper. This hardy squash can be kept for up to three months in a cool, dry place. But remember that butternut squash will not last as long in a warm kitchen. For optimal storage, keep them in the basem*nt or another cooler place if possible. Do not refrigerate the whole squash, but once cut, butternut squash can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated.

Now that you're ready to cook your butternut squash, check out our favorite recipes that put this autumnal ingredient on full display.

Our Very Best Winter Squash Recipes, Starring Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, and More

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Butternut-Squash Roast With Pistachio Yogurt and Grain Relish

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (1)

Let butternut squash be the star of dinner by making this magnificent roasted dish. Simply roast a halved squash and serve with cooked farro mixed with pomegranate arils and capers, atop a swoosh of yogurt puréed with pistachios for the most colorful and nutritious vegetarian meal around.

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02of 28

Baked Farro Risotto With Golden Vegetables and Goat Cheese

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (2)

Butternut squash is diced and grated in this delicious vegetarian main that comes together in an hour. Farro adds a nutty flavor, while the beets bring an earthy taste that perfectly evens out the sweetness of the butternut squash.

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Brown-Sugar Butternut-Squash Pie

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (3)

Want a more unique Thanksgiving pie? Use butternut squash instead of pumpkin for the filling. The squash is roasted, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla, and amped up with evaporated milk before being surrounded by a fancy fishtail-braided crust.

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Butternut-and-Boursin Shells

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (4)

Butternut pulls double duty in this quick weeknight pasta—caramelized, shredded squash goes into the sauce, and roasted squash cubes are tossed in before serving.

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Spicy Squash Salad With Ginger-Lime Dressing

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (5)

A fiery, aromatic dressing with shallots, lime juice, Thai chiles, and ginger balances out the sweetness of steamed butternut squash perfectly.

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Butternut-Squash and Kale Gratin

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (6)

Kale is sandwiched between layers of butternut squash, then topped with cream, Parmegiano-Reggiano, sage, and panko in this luxe gratin.

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Winter-Vegetable Red Curry

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (7)

Canned goods including coconut milk and red curry paste transform butternut squash, carrots, and peppers into a hearty, flavor-packed stew. Serve with rice, grape tomatoes, and basil the first night, then turn the leftovers into a sensational potpie using store-bought puff pastry.

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Orecchiette With Butternut Squash and Sage

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (8)

Never throw out butternut squash pulp and seeds again! Instead, toss them into this simple pasta dish. Ricotta and poppy seeds give it extra oomph.

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17 Kabocha Squash Recipes That Will Make You Fall In Love With This Winter Vegetable

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Garlic Dip

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (9)

Tahini, turmeric, and cayenne turn up the volume on this sweet and savory dip. It's just the thing for fall entertaining.

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Squash Hash With Kale and Baked Eggs

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (10)

Not your usual hash skillet, this one is filled with festive fall vegetables forming a nest for sunny baked eggs. Try it for brunch or lunch.

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Butternut Squash Soup With Coconut Milk and Ginger

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (11)

Vegan soup for the win! This irresistible dish starts with a base of roasted butternut squash, then adds fresh ginger for a little heat and a swirl of coconut milk for creaminess. Skip crackers or croutons, and sprinkle with toasted squash seeds for crunch.

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12of 28

Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (12)

Butternut squash lasagna, flavored with sage and grated nutmeg and layered with sheets of homemade pasta, is autumn in a baking pan.

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Butternut Squash Quesadilla

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (13)

This recipe is just the thing for using up leftover roasted butternut squash. It's mashed, then teamed with pickled jalapeños and two types of cheese—goat and mozzarella—for the quesadilla filling.

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Roasted Vegetables With Quinoa

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (14)

Sweet butternut squash along with hearty Brussels sprouts star in this delicious take on the quinoa bowl.

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Shaved-Butternut-and-Carrot Salad With Dates and Sunflower Seeds

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (15)

Carrots are no surprise in a winter salad, but paper-thin shavings of uncooked butternut squash are a revelation: They have a very gentle garden sweetness and a crisp texture.

View RShaved-Butternut-and-Carrot Salad With Dates and Sunflower Seedsecipe

16of 28

Butternut-Pear Soup

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (16)

The flavor of pears is wonderful with earthy squash. Another great combo: This soup plus a grilled cheese sandwich makes a cozy, comforting lunch.

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Butternut Squash Mash

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (17)

This simple and healthy side dish needs only five ingredients, all of which you probably already have in your kitchen.

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Chili-Lime Roasted Butternut-Squash Salad

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (18)

Chili powder, lime juice, honey, and cilantro add an unexpected zing to roasted squash in this memorable fall salad.

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Spicy Butternut Squash Meatloaf

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (19)

Mix up your meatloaf routine with this flavorful variation combining butternut squash, pancetta, and sage.

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Butternut Squash Soup With Shrimp

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (20)

Turn creamy squash soup into a satisfying main course with the addition of shrimp, plus a garnish of sour cream and fried sage.

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Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (21)

This North African-inspired chickpea and butternut squash stew gets its depth of flavor from homemade harissa.

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Lacinato Kale Salad With Roasted Squash

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (22)

Not your everyday side salad, this one marries raw kale with roasted butternut squash and shallots, toasted hazelnuts, and aged goat cheese shavings. The dressing is simple: just lemon juice and flaxseed oil.

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Butternut Squash and Bacon Quiche

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (23)

Arrange thin slices of butternut squash, whole bacon strips, and sage leaves over custardy filling to make this piece of edible art, a slab quiche that serves as both the main dish and the centerpiece.

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Gluten-Free Butternut Squash, Apple, and Hazelnut Muffins

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (24)

Combined with grated apple and steamed squash, hazelnut flour, which is rich in healthy fats, ensures a perfectly moist texture in these autumnal treats.

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Butternut Squash Pudding

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (25)

A rich savory side dish or vegetarian main, this recipe combines roasted and mashed butternut squash with béchamel sauce, eggs, butter, and parmesan cheese.

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Butternut Squash Crumble

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (26)

Call it a casserole or a gratin if you prefer, this savory crumble has a crunchy topping like your favorite apple dessert but its filling skews savory. Chunks of butternut squash are sautéed, then cooked in a round baking dish, topped with a rich herbed crumble topping, and everything is baked till golden. The recipe calls for chicken stock but swap in vegetable stock to make a vegetarian dish.

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Braised Chicken With Butternut Squash and Cranberries

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (27)

This lightly spiced braised chicken dish makes a wonderful fall dinner. Chicken legs cook with coriander, nutmeg, and fresh sage. Chunks of butternut squash, red onion, and dried cranberries make it a colorful meal.

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Macaroni and Cheese With Butternut Squash

Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (28)

One of our favorite ways to sneak in a vegetable, this mac and cheese includes butternut squash that’s cooked in milk and stock before being mashed. And, it's extra rich creamy thanks to the addition of ricotta.

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Our Best Butternut Squash Recipes to Make This Fall (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? He first tosses the butternut squash in oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper and then cooks it in the oven at 400°F for about 25 minutes.

What is the best season for butternut squash? ›

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

What are three 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.

Is it better to freeze or can butternut squash? ›

If you don't have a pressure canner it's better to freeze your squash. Canning is a good way to store food for later. It lasts for years rather than months as in the freezer. However, squash is a non- acid food so it's susceptible to botulism (a deadly food poison).

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Roast at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and soft. Or, next time you've got the oven on, use up the space to cook a whole squash – simply bake it just as it is until you can insert a knife in easily, then use it over the following days for throwing into salads or to turn into pancakes or fritters.

Is butternut squash in season in October? ›

October brings Halloween, the changing of the clocks and plenty of seasonal fruit and veg. Leafy kale and leeks can be added to healthy green soups and stews, while bright butternut squash adds colour to easy traybakes.

Is butternut squash anti-inflammatory? ›

Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is a superb source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, all of which can contribute to lower inflammation levels. Blend butternut squash into soups or roast it with a touch of cinnamon for a sweet and savory side dish.

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.

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 eat too much butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash is a healthful vegetable that can be added to diet plan for most healthy people. But being high in potassium content people with heart ailments and kidney problems should be cautious while consuming large amounts of butternut squash.

How do you freeze butternut squash without it being mushy? ›

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.

What is the best way to preserve butternut squash? ›

Pumpkins and winter squashes like butternut, acorn, and kabocha will keep for months when stored in a cool, dry place, but sometimes it's helpful to extend their shelf life even more. And the best way to do it is by freezing.

Should you thaw frozen butternut squash before cooking? ›

Drawing inspiration from our irresistible oven-roasted frozen broccoli, I knew I could achieve the same results with frozen squash. Because frozen squash is already peeled and cut for you, all you have to do is season it and throw it into the oven, eliminating at least 20 minutes of work.

Does butternut squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

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.

How should the butternut be prepared for cooking? ›

How to Prep and Cook Butternut Squash
  1. Unpeeled, cut in half and baked face down on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper is by far the easiest. You don't even need to remove the seeds before cooking. ...
  2. Peel the uncooked squash (carefully), remove the seedy pulp, and then cut into slices or cubes.
Jan 10, 2024

Is it better to steam or boil butternut squash? ›

The squash also retains most of its nutrients when it is steamed and has a wonderfully sweet butternuttiness to it. Steamed butternut can also be used in a variety of ways – added to salads, mashed, puréed or enjoyed as is with a simple seasoning of your choice.

What is the best way to can butternut squash? ›

Caution: do not mash or puree!

To can pumpkin or squash: Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Boil the cubes in water for 2 minutes. Fill the jars with cubes and cooking liquid, leaving 1-inch of headspace.

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