80+ Hearty and Healthy Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall

Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter Recipe

If you only want to use one sheet pan and make 4 servings, divide this recipe in half, and save the extra half of your par-cooked butternut squash for a soup, roast, or stuffing.

Arugula Pesto Pizza Recipe

Wide ribbons of fresh butternut squash become tender while the pizza bakes, a colorful and faintly sweet contrast to the peppery arugula pesto.

Moroccan Butternut Squash and Chickpea Stew Recipe

A well-stocked spice cabinet is key for this stew. Each serving packs nearly half of your daily fiber, essential for better digestion and weight control.

Butternut Squash, Kale, and Black Bean Quesadillas Recipe

Mashing half of the beans provides creamy texture and helps to seal the quesadillas.

Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad Recipe

We love firm French green lentils, but you can also use standard brown lentils. You're not likely to find a whole butternut squash that's only 1 pound; just buy the smallest one you can find, and use 1 pound of it.

Fast Chicken Chili with Butternut Squash Recipe

Rotisserie chicken helps make this hearty chili superspeedy without sacrificing rich, deep, and complex flavor.

Butternut-Kale Frittata Recipe

Frittatas are some of the most efficient vehicles for leftover vegetables. Here, we combine roasted butternut squash with quick-cooking kale for a fiber-rich breakfast duo. A touch of dairy lends custard-like creaminess to the egg mixture.

Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese Recipe

Freshly grated cheese—not preshredded—is key to achieving the creamiest sauce. The anti-caking ingredients in preshredded cheese make your sauce less creamy.

Butternut Queso Fundido Recipe

If you prefer, you can roast a halved, seeded butternut squash at 350° for 45 minutes or until soft. Scoop 10 ounces of flesh, and use in place of the puree.

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables. If you can't find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

$8.15 for six servings

Autumn Glow Salad Recipe

This plant-powered salad delivers over 50% of your daily fiber and one-third of your daily potassium goal. Butternut squash is an excellent source of eye-healthy vitamin A and a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C and blood pressure-supporting potassium.

This recipe goes with: Butternut-Kale Frittata, Poached Egg Power Bowls

Roasted Butternut with Sage and Thyme Recipe

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best. In this one, butternut squash combines with oil, sage, and thyme for a can't-be-beat weeknight side.

Lemon-Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

Winter Squash Stew with Cilantro-Avocado Salsa Recipe

Winter greens would also make a lovely addition to this hearty stew; simply toss a few handfuls in when the squash is almost tender, and stir until greens begin to wilt.

Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts Recipe

We give the large bone-in breasts a head start in the oven so they will be perfectly cooked by the time the vegetables are done. This cut is also rather juicy; you'll want to drain the liquid from the pan before adding the vegetables so they can caramelize evenly.

Greek Butternut Squash Salad Recipe

Salty feta cheese and olives are the perfect flavor balance to sweet, caramelized butternut squash in this simple, satisfying side dish. Bulk the salad up with rotisserie chicken and serve over bulgur, rice, or couscous for a hearty fall entree. 

Maple-Butternut Puree Recipe

Instead of sweet potatoes, try equally starchy, carotene-rich butternut squash for your next mash. A food processor will get the mixture silky smooth. You can also change the profile by swapping maple syrup and fresh ginger for a little ground cinnamon and curry powder or minced fresh sage and grated Parmesan cheese.

Baby Kale, Butternut, and Chicken Salad Recipe

This bright, colorful salad features soft squash that is perfect in the fall for salads and soups. Bake butternut squash in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Keep a batch on hand for a side, soup, or hash stir-in.

Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash, and Green Beans Recipe

This bountiful plate comes together in a snap thanks to savvy finds from the supermarket like frozen precooked butternut squash, olives from the olive bar, and spiralized beets (available in the produce section). If you can’t find the beets, you can add 1/3 cup precooked, sliced beets to the cooked and drained green beans. Cutting the steak in half will also speed up cooking; be sure to let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with arugula and pomegranate arils and coat the mixture with a tahini dressing.

Skillet Squash Blossom Recipe

The best part of this showstopping dish is the caramelized edges.

Creamy Squash Soup with Salad Topping Recipe

Some butternut squash soups can be too sweet; here, almond butter, lime juice, and slightly spicy salad mix-ins keep the flavors lively. For a heartier dish, add a few cooked medium shrimp (warmed first in a little hot water) to each bowl.

Kale Salad with Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries and Pistachios Recipe

Toss kale, roasted butternut squash, pistachios, and dried cranberries with a red wine vindegar and Dijon mustard dressing to make a delicious fall salad. 

Fettuccine with Squash & Pistachio Pesto Recipe

Cooking with store-bought cubed squash saves time on weeknights. You can sub in almonds or walnuts for the pistachios.

Roasted Rosemary Chicken Quarters with Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Recipe

This fantastic sheet pan chicken supper is simple to throw together and packed with robust fall flavor. While it’s a great dish to add into your weeknight dinner rotation, this roasted chicken dinner is impressive enough for casual entertaining. Feel free to swap out the butternut squash for sweet potatoes if you’d prefer. And to find even more inspired sheet pan meals, you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of One Sheet Eats: 100+ Delicious Recipes All Made on a Baking Sheet.

Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe

While old-school stovetop-stirred risotto is undeniably delicious, the pressure cooker also delivers astonishingly good results: perfectly creamy, al dente risotto without constant stirring.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Sticky Walnut Topping Recipe

Molasses complements the sweetness of the roasted butternut squash and gives the slices a deeply bronzed look.

Warm-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Earthy, fragrant spices like allspice, cloves, and cinnamon make wonderful accents for the natural sweetness of butternut squash. Make sure to simmer the squash until very tender--the softer it gets, the silkier the puree.

Spaghetti with Squash, Walnuts and Parmesan Recipe

Try this fall-flavored spin on spaghetti made with butternut squash, walnuts, bread crumbs, and Parmesan. 

Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard Tart with Olive Oil Crust Recipe

To speed up prep time, roast the squash and par-bake the crust simultaneously.

Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi Recipe

Pillowy store-bought potato gnocchi are a great stand-in for dumplings in this easy and comforting dish. Buy precut butternut squash to save time, but slice any larger pieces of squash in half to ensure that it cooks evenly.

Butternut Squash and Corn Soup Recipe

The last of late-summer's corn, cooked so it still has a light crunch, accents this silky squash soup. Clare Carver of Big Table Farm winery in Oregon uses rich homemade chicken broth, but store-bought works too.

Cheesy Sorghum and Shaved Squash Pilaf Recipe

Long, slender ribbons of butternut squash make for a beautiful and unusual presentation; just be gentle when stirring so you don't break all those gorgeous pieces. Try to grab a squash with a long neck--that straight surface works best for ribboning. If you can't find sorghum, you can use farro.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Sage Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with pecans and sage. 

Roasted Squash Salad Recipe

Top winter greens with roasted butternut squash for a clean, light meal.

Harvest Pie Recipe

Butternut squash stands in for pumpkin in this pie, which received Cooking Light's highest Test Kitchens rating.

Butternut Squash Spice Cake Recipe

Watch out, carrot cake. An intriguing mix of spices, plus coconut sugar for subtle sweetness, put this butternut squash cake over the top. (And did we mention the bourbon?) You'll need 3 round cake pans (8 in. each).

Roasted Butternut Squash with Coconut and Chile Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with coconut flakes and red chile and coat the mixture with a lime juice mixture. 

Spiced Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Roasting a whole squash takes longer than one that's cut up, but Smoot finds it easier (and safer) to peel and cut the squash after it's cooked.

Steak Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries Recipe

A summer classic leans into fall with roasted butternut squash, tart-sweet dried cranberries, and fresh rosemary. Find peeled, diced fresh butternut squash in the produce section. You can sub crumbled goat cheese or feta for the blue cheese and walnuts or pecans for the hazelnuts.

Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe

Madras curry powder adds warmth and earthiness to the otherwise sweet butternut squash, apple, and maple syrup in the soup. It has a bit more heat than regular curry powder, though either can be used here. Frozen, precooked squash will save time; you can also roast 1 (1 1/2-lb.) peeled, diced butternut squash ahead and refrigerate for later in the week. We opt for a sweet, Golden Delicious apple to contrast the tangy Greek yogurt; you can also use a Fuji or Braeburn apple.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Parmesan-Garlic Breadcrumbs Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with Parmesan-garlic bread crumbs. 

Oven-roasted Fall Vegetables Recipe

Roasting butternut squash brings out its sweet, pumpkin-like flavor. Serve with pork tenderloin or pot roast.

Sweet Squash with Walnuts Recipe

Build a parfait of baked butternut squash topped with walnuts and crème fraiche. This elegant, five-ingredient dessert shows that butternut squash is more than a side dish.

Butternut Squash and Leek Gratins Recipe

Bake the savory squash and leek custard-like mixture in individual ramekins or custard cups for a rich side dish that’s just the right size.

Baked Rice with Butternut Squash Recipe

For a casserole-style dish that is sure to be a hit during the holidays, you can't go wrong with savory rice and squash recipe. It’s full of flavor from the tender butternut squash and combination of herbs and cheese.

Butternut Squash Gratin with Blue Cheese and Sage Recipe

Besides being a great side to simple roast chicken or beef tenderloin, seasonal squash provides more than a day's worth of vitamin A and about half the daily recommended vitamin C.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Sugared Walnuts Recipe

This seasonal fall rice dish featuring roasted butternut squash makes a satisfying side dish for roasted turkey, roast beef or ham, but it’s hearty enough to be a main dish, too.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallot Soup Recipe

Spicy fresh ginger complements the sweet roasted winter squash and shallots in this easy soup recipe. Serve it as a first course soup, or with a sandwich or salad for a light meal.

Risotto with Butternut Squash, Pancetta, and Jack Cheese Recipe

Cubes of tender butternut squash add color, texture and extra nutrients to this creamy rice and cheese side dish.

Curried Butternut Squash and Potato Latkes with Apple Salsa Recipe

Add seasonal butternut squash to the mixture for these savory potato cakes, and top with a fiery salsa of apple and serrano chile.

Beef-and-Butternut Squash Chili Recipe

Not only do the beef and vegetables add hearty, rich flavor to the chili, they also make it high in zinc, B-vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

Butternut Squash Spice Cake Recipe

Adding butternut squash to this cake keeps it moist. Keep it on hand as a healthy afternoon snack or breakfast cake.

Fresh Vegetable Penne Recipe

Boost the nutrition power of a pasta side dish by coating penne pasta with roasted, puréed butternut squash.

Butternut Squash-White Bean Soup Recipe

This quintessential fall soup uses butternut squash to impart a rich, creamy texture. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Pork and Squash Stir-Fry Recipe

Add cubed butternut squash to a classic stir-fry. It's easy, quick, and impressive enough to serve guests.

Butternut Squash-Leek Soup Recipe

Simple and wholesome, this soup highlights the natural essence of butternut squash. The added head of garlic gives it a rich, deep flavor.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

This creamy butternut squash soup features pureed butternut squash, carrot and onion and showcases the rich, sweet flavor of this winter squash.

Potato-Butternut Gratin With Poblano Béchamel Recipe

The mild sweetness of butternut squash pairs particularly well with Mexican flavors of poblano chile and cumin. Goat cheese brightens and enriches the flavor, and toasty almonds offer a welcome textural contrast. Try to get a squash with a long neck, as slices from that section are easiest to work with. It’s important to allow the gratin to rest for 20 minutes after baking so the juices that accumulate can thicken and absorb into the vegetables.

Crispy Salmon Salad With Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Small touches like the charred lemon vinaigrette and tart pomegranate arils elevate this speedy salad into a showstopping main dish. Preheat your sheet pan to get a jump-start on cooking the squash and onions.

Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash Recipe

Take your basic beef stew to the next level by making this simple, fragrant beef tagine featuring butternut squash.

Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

This will quickly become one of your favorite ways to prepare squash. Warning: Your kitchen will smell heavenly. 

Butternut-Nut Butter Bars Recipe

 If zucchini and pumpkin can make a name for themselves in the dessert realm—why not butternut squash?  These gluten-free cookie bars pack an impressive level of toasty, fall flavor into every bite thanks to a combination of nutty brown butter, roasted butternut squash, nut butter, and a downright addictive creamy cashew butter-cream cheese icing (seriously, you’re gonna wanna spread this on everything—make a double batch) that’s elevated with a crunchy topper of toasted pepitas and cashews. We opt for rice flour over all-purpose because this gluten-free alternative can better absorb moisture from the squash to yield a delightfully tender—not wet or overtly cakey—texture. While roasting fresh squash contributes a depth of caramelized flavor you really don’t want to miss out on, you can find canned butternut squash in some supermarkets and online if you need a speedier swap; in fact, you could even use canned pumpkin in place of the pureed squash. In short, these brown butter butternut blondies will give every bit of convincing you may need need to believe that golden, sweet butternut squash deserves a spot on the holiday dessert table as much as any pumpkin-based treat. 

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo Recipe

For an easy and elegant fall entertaining dish you can make in your Instant Pot, look no further than our savory butternut squash soup. This Instant Pot butternut squash soup is a perfect recipe for effortless autumnal vibes. Featuring chorizo sausage and spices like cumin and chili powder, matched with butternut squash’s inherent sweetness, this Instant Pot soup exudes seasonal warmth. It’s excellent when served with crusty bread and a green salad for a light entree, but also makes for a fantastic appetizer served in smaller portions. A speedy and flavorful twist on classic butternut squash soup, our Instant Pot version delivers a delightful blend of textures and flavors in each bite thanks to toppings that make the dish as beautiful as it is delicious.

Butternut Squash Noodles Recipe

This dish tastes as good as it looks. You can purchase pre-spiralized squash noodles at many grocery stores, so don't worry if you don't have a spiralizer. Trust us, you won't miss the carbs with these easy butternut noodles. 

Roasted Butternut Squash and Poblano Pizza Recipe

This Mexican-inspired twist on flatbread is packed with oven-roasted veggies, delivering almost a third of your daily fiber goal. Buy precubed butternut squash to trim down your prep time; swap goat cheese for the queso fresco, if you prefer.

Charred Cabbage With Butternut-Miso Mash Recipe

Slow-cooked, grilled, shredded into slaw, or fermented to make kimchi or kraut, the humble cabbage knows no bounds. This stand-out crucifer is also rich in compounds called isothiocyanates, which may help lower cancer risk. 

Sausage and Mushroom Pasta With Butternut Squash Recipe

How’s this for a hack? Here we slice refrigerated lasagna noodles to get silky pappardelle-style ribbons of pasta that look like they’re homemade. Pick up pre-cubed butternut squash to save yourself peeling and chopping time.

Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash, and Green Beans Recipe

This bountiful plate comes together in a snap thanks to savvy finds from the supermarket like frozen precooked butternut squash, olives from the olive bar, and spiralized beets (available in the produce section). If you can’t find the beets, you can add 1/3 cup precooked, sliced beets to the cooked and drained green beans. Cutting the steak in half will also speed up cooking; be sure to let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

Barley and Butternut Risotto Recipe

Serve with garlicky broccoli: Toss 4 cups broccoli florets with 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Spread evenly on a baking sheet; roast at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

Butternut-Cauliflower-Coconut Curry Recipe

A range of textures--crunchy peas, tender vegetables, and silky coconut broth--makes this cool-weather main incredibly satisfying. The chickpea mixture can also be a delicious gluten-free snack: After baking, toss with a little kosher salt, ground cumin, and ground red pepper.

Easy Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe

This delightful twist on sweet potato casserole is sweet, warm, and comforting. If you're short on time, use Whole Foods' canned butternut squash purée instead of roasting your own. Marshmallows are optional, but recommended. 

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Silky roasted butternut squash stands in for noodles in this more nutritious take on the starchy pasta casserole.

Butternut Squash Gnocchi Recipe

These little butternut squash gnocchi are ever so slightly sweet. Dress the pillowy dumplings with melted butter and parmesan cheese to add a rich flavor. If you want a heavier sauce, add sage and canned pumpkin puree to the butter. 

Time: 1 hour

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Recipe

Instant Pot Butternut Squash is the easy fall side dish recipe that everyone needs in their repertoire. This simple recipe is similar to your go-to roasted butternut squash, yielding browned edges and a melt-in-your-mouth tender interior, but made in your go-to countertop appliance. Make your own by adding your favorite spices and herbs to the cubed butternut squash. 

Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin with Broccoli and Butternut Squash Recipe

This easy, flavorful supper brings great taste and texture to the humble sheet pan. The juicy roasted pork tenderloin has a nice herb coating, and its delicious creamy tarragon mustard sauce is great with the butternut squash and the roasted broccoli florets. The sweet roasted squash balances the savory roasted broccoli, and the meat is perfect with just a schmear of the sauce. Pork tenderloins typically come in packages of two, so freeze one for later or double the recipe for a larger crowd. Make sure to preheat the oven with the rimmed baking sheet inside—this way, the tenderloin gets a nice sear and color before the vegetables hit the baking sheet. 

Easy Chicken and Butternut Squash Hash Recipe

This veggie-packed skillet supper comes together quickly thanks to smart shortcuts. Pre-cubed butternut squash saves chopping time; parcooking it with the Brussels sprouts in the microwave shortens the final cook time. Center-cut bacon adds salty, smoky flavor with 25% to 30% less fat than regular bacon. Fold any leftovers into mac and cheese.