23 Butternut Squash Recipes You’ll Absolutely Fall For
With no disrespect to soups or purées, they aren’t the only butternut squash recipes worth falling for. The autumnal all-star shines in cheesy gratins, crunchy salads, dinner-party-worthy roasts, and sweetly spiced desserts. (If pumpkin can do it, why not squash?) Its earthy sweetness complements a wide range of flavors, and its sturdy, fibrous texture makes butternut squash ideal for braising, oven- or pan-roasting, baking into polenta or casseroles, or shaving raw onto greens.
Of course, if you want a classic butternut squash soup recipe, we have that too. You can even stretch your butternut budget by turning leftover soup into a poaching liquid for cod or shrimp, stirring it into pasta sauce, or spreading it onto flatbreads. No matter what you’re craving, this fall favorite can do it all.
- Learn how to peel and cut butternut squash without hurting yourself.
- Get your confidence back by watching 50 people worse than you at cutting squash.
- Learn all about the different types of squash you can swap in when butternut leaves you in a rut.
Now onto the recipes:
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou1/23Braised Butternut Squash in Spiced Coconut Gravy
With tender veggies immersed in warm, spiced coconut gravy, this 40-minute butternut squash recipe is equally suited to weeknight dinners and holiday mains. Swap almonds for cashews, or replace cilantro with parsley.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Judy Haubert3/23Butternut Squash Soup
A dash of fresh ginger and a touch of brown sugar bring brightness and depth to this classic comfort food. Try topping it with cubed apples and crisped bacon or pancetta; add some heat by stirring in cayenne; and finish each bowl with a swirl of coconut milk, a drizzle of chili crisp, or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson4/23Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash
The earthy sweetness of roasted squash balances salty Parmesan cheese in this crowd-pleasing four-ingredient side dish. “Every time I make this, I get asked for the recipe,” writes one Epi reader, who suggests adding extra sage with the salt and black pepper. “This is a keeper.”
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog5/23Butternut Squash Sandwich With Cheddar Cheese and Pickled Red Onion
The combination of thyme-roasted squash, rich cheddar cheese, and tangy pickled red onions is like squeezing autumn between two slices of bread. The zesty Dijonnaise keeps the vegetarian sandwich vibrant and would be just as tasty with roast chicken or turkey.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege7/23Creamy One-Pot Pasta With Sausage and Squash
No need to boil water for this one-pot meal: the pasta cooks directly in the luxuriously creamy sauce with butternut squash and Italian sausage. Use sweet or spicy links, and substitute the fusilli for any small pasta like farfalle, orecchiette, or rotini.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton8/23Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Think of this five-star butternut squash salad as a versatile base. Swap the pomegranate seeds for dried cranberries, substitute any salty cheese for the Parmesan, or give it a boost with chickpeas or shredded slow-cooker chicken.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/23Cod With Miso–Butternut Squash Sauce
Poaching cod in leftover soup not only stretches one meal into two, but it also makes the fish flavorful and perfectly tender. Substitute scallops or shrimp, or use sliced firm tofu.
Photo by Cara Howe11/23Steel-Cut Oats With Squash and Tahini
Preparing a large batch of steel-cut oats early in the week is an easy way to guarantee you’ll have breakfast on standby. Keep it in an airtight container, then reheat and stir in a scoop of roasted and mashed butternut squash, creamy tahini, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton13/23Twice-Baked Butternut Squash With Parmesan Cream and Candied Bacon
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell14/23Creamy Squash Risotto With Toasted Pepitas
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert15/23Quick Vegetable Massaman Curry
Need to get dinner on the table quickly? This vegetarian curry is packed with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, and spices, and it all comes together in an hour. Pick up precut vegetables from the store and the prep time is even less.
photo by Alex Farnum16/23Butternut Squash, Kale, and Crunchy Pepitas Taco
If soaking nuts overnight isn’t an option, store-bought cashew cream—enhanced with fresh lime juice and toasted cumin—is a good substitute. Use precut butternut squash to save time and top each vegan taco with a spoonful of salsa, cilantro, sliced red onion, and crunchy pepitas.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini17/23Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta
Photo by Nassima Rothacker19/23Butternut Squash With Red Lentils and Tamarind
Topping bowls of silky dal with cubes of roasted butternut squash adds layers of flavor and texture to this ultra-comforting fall dinner idea. Serve it over rice with chapati or on its own.
Photo by Faith Mason21/23Parsnip and Butternut Squash with Flatbreads
Roasting a big batch of cumin-scented veggies on a sheet pan requires no fuss and minimal cleanup. Swap in store-bought naan or pita for the homemade flatbreads, or try canned butterbeans or precooked lentils.
