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

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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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Bean, Bacon and Butternut Squash Soup with Swiss Chard

A little bit of bacon lends big savory flavor to this textured soup.

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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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Vegetables

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

FAQs

What can I do with too much butternut squash? ›

Once you've got it sliced and diced, the sky's the limit on what you can do with it. Try it as a soup; as a side dish, like in our cheesy bacon butternut squash or our butternut squash risotto; or even with noodles, like in our brown butter butternut squash pasta or our butternut squash ravioli.

How much does a 2 lb butternut squash yield? ›

Additional Cooking Tips

If your recipe calls for a cup or two of butternut squash, remember this easy conversion: a medium butternut squash (about two pounds) will yield around two and a half cups of cubed squash.

How many cups does 1 butternut squash make? ›

One 1 1/2 pound butternut squash will yield approximately 4 cups of 1/2-inch cubed squash.

Can you freeze fresh cut up butternut squash? ›

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 necessary to peel butternut squash 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. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

How many squash does it take to make 2 lb? ›

Two medium yellow squash (about 6 inches long) weigh about one pound raw.

How many butternut squash is 3 cups? ›

Butternut squash – Depending on the size, whole butternut squash can yield between 1 ½ cups for a small squash to 3 cups or so for a medium to a larger one. Take this into account when choosing a butternut squash for your recipe.

How many pounds is 1 butternut squash? ›

1.5 - 3 lbs Winter Squash Acorn Each (average) 1.5 - 2 lbs. Butternut Each (average) 2 to 5 lbs. Hubbard Each (average) 4 to 7 lbs. Sweet Potato/Delicata Each (average) 1 to 1.5 lbs.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How to hack butternut squash? ›

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. 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.

Is butternut squash a super food? ›

Butternut squash is regarded as a superfood for its ability to boost immunity, support eye health, aid digestion and enhance cognitive function. It's a true nutritional powerhouse packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

How do you preserve butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash can also easily be frozen. Simply cut it into cubes, spread it out on a lined sheet tray, and freeze solid.

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.

How long is leftover butternut squash good for? ›

Whole squash can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month. Store cooked squash for 3-5 days in the refrigerator or mash and freeze for up to 1 year. To freeze: Peel squash, remove seeds and cut into pieces. You can roast before freezing or freeze raw to cook later.

What to do with harvested butternut squash? ›

After you've harvested ripe butternut squash, cure them for storage. The curing process allows fruits to be stored for longer periods. Curing hardens butternut squash skin even more and slows respiration which causes rot. Curing winter squashes also dries the skin and protects the fruit's inner flesh.

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