Ingredient & Substitution Notes
Here I explain the best ingredients for how to roast butternut squash, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Butternut Squash – Whether you’re making roasted butternut squash recipes or cooking them some other way, always choose squashes that are heavy for their size. Mine was 3 pounds, so you can adjust the amounts of the other ingredients if yours is much smaller or larger. Olive Oil – Helps the seasonings stick, adds flavor, and encourages caramelization. Other heat-safe oils, such as avocado oil, also work. Seasonings – Garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper are all you need to complement the sweet buttery flavor of roasted butternut squash. See more seasoning ideas below!
How To Peel & Cut Butternut Squash
You can roast butternut squash halves or even a whole one, but I prefer to peel and cut it into cubes, because it cooks faster and you get that flavorful caramelization on the edges. Here’s how to cut and peel butternut squash easily:
How To Roast Butternut Squash
This section shows how to cook a butternut squash in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. For easier and safer prep, poke the outside of the squash with a paring knife and microwave whole for 2-3 minutes. This will soften the skin, so peeling is a cinch.
How Long To Roast Butternut Squash?
At 400 degrees F, roasted butternut squash cubes will take 25-35 minutes to cook. It would take almost double that time to roast butternut squash halves or a whole squash. Make sure each piece is touching the pan, with spaces between some of the pieces. This will ensure that the roasted butternut squash cooks evenly and caramelizes nicely.
Seasoning Variations
One of my favorite things about this oven roasted butternut squash recipe is that can be simple, sweet, or savory. Here’s a brief list of ways to season butternut squash:
Make it sweet – Toss cubes with brown sugar (or brown sugar substitute) before baking, or drizzle with maple syrup (or a sugar-free version) either before or after roasting. Add fall spices – This squash pairs well with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. You could add these at the end, but I prefer to do so at the same time as the other seasonings. Mix in herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage, or any combination of these would be perfect for fall. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs or 1 teaspoon dried herbs, before or after roasting. Try savory seasonings – Toss squash with Montreal seasoning, Italian seasoning, or even taco seasoning depending on your flavor preference.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover butternut squash in an airtight container up to 4 days in the fridge. Meal prep: You can peel and cut butternut squash up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. Alternatively, make the entire roasted butternut squash recipe ahead and store as described above. Reheat: Warm up leftovers in the oven (at 350 degrees F) if possible, but the microwave also works. Freeze: Place cooled roast butternut squash cubes in a zip lock bag or freezer safe container, and freeze up to 4 months. You can also cut the squash and freeze it raw.
What To Serve With Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash recipes go with everything! Here are some ideas that pair perfectly with this delish side dish:
Chicken – French onion chicken, baked chicken breast, and chicken legs can all share oven space while roasting butternut squash, or make chicken florentine on the stovetop while the squash is in the oven. If you need dinner for a crowd, try spatchcock chicken. Pork – Serve this squash with pork tenderloin (or Crock Pot pork tenderloin), smothered pork chops, or pork stew. Beef – Comfort foods like grilled steak, garlic butter steak bites, or beef cabbage soup would taste perfect alongside this butternut squash recipe. Seafood – Try pan seared salmon, baked cod, a rainbow trout recipe, or garlic butter shrimp. Special Occasion Meals – Butternut squash is a popular choice for holiday meals or special occasions! I like to use it as a side to my turkey in a bag instead of sweet potatoes. You could also try Spatchcock chicken, sweet crab legs, a fancy filet mignon in the oven, a juicy reverse sear steak, or even lobster tail for a memorable dinner.
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