What screams fall more than butternut squash? This collection highlights this healthy winter squash in comforting soups, satisfying salads, creamy pasta and more. Try dishes like our Melting Butternut Squash with Maple Butter for a flavorful and nutritious side dish, or make our Spinach & Artichoke–Stuffed Butternut Squash in just 15 minutes of active time for a hearty dinner that brings out the best in this delicious vegetable.
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Melting Butternut Squash with Maple Butter
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This melting butternut squash is caramelized on the outside and buttery-soft on the inside. The natural sweetness of the squash intensifies as it bakes, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s enhanced with sweet maple butter flavor. This simple yet elegant side dish is perfect for fall and pairs beautifully with roasted meats or grain bowls.
Butternut Squash Butter
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
This Butternut Squash Butter is a cozy, autumn-inspired spread that’s naturally sweet and velvety smooth. Roasted butternut squash is blended with fresh herbs and roasted garlic for a flavor that brings on a taste of fall. It’s delicious spread on toast or served alongside cheese and crackers.
Garlic-Butter Butternut Squash Steaks
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
These butternut squash steaks are a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional steak. Thick slices of squash are scored to allow garlic butter to seep into every bite, then they’re roasted until caramelized and tender, with crispy, golden edges.
Spinach & Artichoke–Stuffed Butternut Squash
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This stuffed butternut squash recipe is a creamy and delicious dish that brings comfort food to a whole new level. Tender roasted butternut squash halves are filled with a cheesy spinach-and-artichoke mixture, making each bite better than the next. Give these delicious stuffed squash halves a finishing touch with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for a hint of heat, small fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a tangy-sweet flavor contrast that ties it all together.
Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowl
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This roasted butternut-squash hummus bowl offers the perfect balance of earthy, nutty and vibrant flavors while delivering plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. You’ll fill up with a healthy dose of legumes, dark leafy greens and roasted vegetables. Use classic hummus or experiment with different flavored varieties as the base for this delicious dish.
Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This spiced butternut squash and apple casserole is a warm, cozy dish that captures the essence of fall. This easy dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the tartness of fresh apples, finished with savory goat cheese and sweet maple-glazed walnuts. We love the tart flavor that Granny Smith apples provide, but feel free to swap in a sweeter baking apple like Honeycrisp if you prefer.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This roasted butternut squash salad, with its caramelized butternut squash, tender kale and a zingy dressing, makes the perfect dish. Whether paired with roasted chicken or seared steak or enjoyed on its own, it brings a balance of sweet and savory to the table, making it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Feel free to swap out the lacinato kale for curly kale or try another winter squash like honeynut or delicata in place of the butternut.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This rich and creamy butternut squash mac and cheese has hints of roasted squash whirled into a cheesy sauce flavored with fresh sage for a delicious plant-based meal any day of the week. We call for pre-chopped butternut squash to keep prep at a minimum, but feel free to chop your own or experiment with another winter squash like honeynut or acorn squash in place of the butternut.
Cheesy Twice-Baked Butternut Squash
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
These stuffed roasted butternut squash halves get the same treatment as a twice-baked potato, with a garlicky creamed spinach mixture blended together with the roasted squash. The mixture is scooped back into the skin, then broiled to melt the nutty Gruyère cheese on top. This sweet and savory dish is simple enough for a weeknight or makes an excellent vegetarian main course for your holiday table.
Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar
Who says spinach salads are only for spring? Use autumn’s tender crop of fresh spinach and other seasonal vegetables to make this fall salad with roasted butternut squash, apples, cheddar and pecans. This colorful and healthy salad would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu.
Sheet-Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
Roasting the vegetables in the oven before blending them intensifies their flavors, resulting in a deeply rich and flavorful fall soup. We love the sweet and nutty flavor of butternut squash, but any winter squash with a similar texture, such as acorn, honeynut or kabocha squash, can be used in its place.
Butternut Squash Pasta
This butternut squash pasta is sweet, salty and rich in flavor without any cream, thanks to a few tricks. One, we use the starchy pasta-cooking water to help the sauce cling to the pasta, and two, we add a tiny bit of miso paste for umami and depth of flavor. Serve this vegetarian dinner with a crispy seasoned breadcrumb topping. For a pop of color, fold in a few handfuls of baby spinach when you add the pasta back to the pot.
Panko-Crusted Butternut Squash Fries with Creamy Feta Dipping Sauce
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
These crispy, tender butternut squash fries are paired with a creamy feta cheese dipping sauce, creating the perfect combo of sweet and salty flavors. Optimize time by choosing pre-halved and peeled butternut squash from the prepared produce section if it’s available. For a twist, try this method with other winter squash like delicata or acorn squash.
Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Layering apple slices into grilled cheese sandwiches adds a little crunch to a favorite soup dipper. And creamy butternut squash soup with ginger, cumin and turmeric is a nice change of pace from grilled cheese’s usual tomato soup partner. If you have a sensitive palate, you can cut back on the spices. Be sure to use seasonal squash for the best squash flavor. Serve the duo for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner for the family. The soup keeps well in the fridge, so save leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.
