5 Ridiculously Easy Roasted Squash Recipes for Busy Fall Weeknights (2024)

5 Ridiculously Easy Roasted Squash Recipes for Busy Fall Weeknights (1)

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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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published Oct 5, 2019

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Welcome to Snapshot Cooking, the home of Kitchn’s easiest recipes. These mini recipes are so simple you can practically cook from the before-and-after snapshot itself.

Butternut squash is one of my very favorite fall vegetables. There are just two tiny problems: I absolutely hate cutting or peeling it. That’s how delicata squash won my affection. Not only is this winter squash easier to slice into, but there’s also no need to peel it. It also comes in a much more manageable size: One medium delicata can serve two as a side, while finding a small butternut is no easy feat.

While it doesn’t need more than olive oil, salt, and pepper, just a few extra ingredients can really up the “wow” factor. Here are five of my very favorite twists.

5 Snapshot Recipes for 4-Ingredient Roasted Delicata Squash

  • The 3 ingredients: Each recipe calls for four ingredients, including delicata squash and an optional garnish. We assume you have olive oil, salt, and pepper, so those aren’t included in our ingredient count.
  • The serving size: Each recipe serve four people as a side, but can easily be doubled. Divide the squash between two baking sheets if doubling.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Delicata Squash

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Trim 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and pulp. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick half moons; place on rimmed baking sheet. Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 grated garlic cloves in a small bowl; drizzle over squash. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spread in an even layer and roast, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized, 25 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; roast until melted and softened, 5 minutes more. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley leaves.

Miso Butter Roasted Delicata Squash

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 teaspoons white miso paste in a small saucepan over medium heat, breaking up miso with a spoon until it’s evenly dispersed and butter is melted. Remove from heat. Trim 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and pulp. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick half moons; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with miso butter, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Spread in an even layer and roast, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized, 25 minutes. Garnish with chopped scallions.

Chili Lime Roasted Delicata Squash

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Trim 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and pulp. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick half moons and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons chili powder, and finely grated zest of 1 lime. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spread in an even layer and roast, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized, 25 minutes. Remove from oven, halve the zested lime, and squeeze juice over squash. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Honey Harissa Roasted Delicata Squash

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Trim 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and pulp. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick half moons; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon harissa paste, and 1 tablespoon honey in a small bowl; drizzle over squash. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spread in an even layer and roast, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized, 25 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh mint leaves.

Maple Bacon Delicata Squash

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Trim 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and pulp. Slice into 1/4-inch-thick half moons; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 slices thick-cut bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spread in an even layer and roast, flipping halfway, until squash is tender and caramelized and bacon is crisp, 25 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley leaves.

Get the recipe: Maple Bacon Delicata Squash

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5 Ridiculously Easy Roasted Squash Recipes for Busy Fall Weeknights (2024)

FAQs

Can you prepare squash the day before? ›

TO MAKE AHEAD: Squash can be diced 1 day in advance.

What does carnival squash taste like? ›

Description/Taste

When cooked, Carnival squash is soft and tender with a fragrant aroma and is slightly nutty, buttery, and sweet with nuances of maple syrup, similar to butternut squash.

What is the best winter squash for cooking? ›

Butternuts are the ideal "ingredient" squash. While they are perfectly fine roasted on their own with a little butter and salt, their smooth, moist texture and uncomplicated sweetness make them the perfect base for pies, soups, curries — you name it, butternuts can adapt to the recipe.

What goes with squash for dinner? ›

"Autumnal squash pairs especially well with herbs and spices like sage, thyme, cumin, ginger and chili," Ceri Jones, a professional chef in London, tells LIVESTRONG.com. "It also goes well with meaty flavors such as pork or creamy, salty cheese like feta."

When should you not eat squash? ›

Knowing if your summer squash is still fresh is very similar with winter squash, but note that summer squash tends to turn bad much quicker. For best flavor, check for these signs of spoilage: Visible mold and fungus. Mushy, soft spots on a whole squash, that when cut are spongy and soft.

Does squash last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Store fresh squash in the refrigerator crisper in plastic storage bags or rigid containers to retain moisture. Stored in this manner, squash will maintain quality for 5-7 days. Avoid storing fresh squash in areas that might freeze.

What is the most delicious squash? ›

Butternut Squash

Perhaps the favorite of the squash family - Butternut squash. With a long shape and creamy orange flesh, this is a quintessential autumn favorite. Its sweet, nutty flavor makes it ideal for soups, purees, and roasting.

Which squash has the most flavor? ›

Honeynut Squash: The sweetness and flavor made this a clear winner. Delicata Squash: This is actually tied with acorn squash and both are similar in texture and flavor which is why they are ranked at the top.

What is the difference between acorn squash and Carnival squash? ›

Carnival Squash

A cross between the acorn squash and sweet dumpling, the small, round carnival has striped and speckled skin, and a sweet, light-orange flesh. It will work well in any recipes that call for acorn, sweet dumpling, or butternut squash, and keeps for a few weeks.

What is the best squash to roast? ›

I use this method most with butternut squash, kabocha, and sugar pie pumpkins - but it also works great for smaller squash like acorn, delicata, and honeynut if you want to make a stuffed squash dish or eat them as you would a baked potato.

Which squash is the healthiest? ›

1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.

What tastes better, acorn or butternut squash? ›

Acorn squash is milder in taste and slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash: Its sweet, nutty flavor is additionally muted by the watery character of its flesh. Still, most recipes that call for acorn squash can be made with another members of the squash family, such as Hubbard or butternut.

What do you put on top of squash? ›

A sweet and crunchy topping of butter, brown sugar, pecans and pumpkin pie spice brings out the best of a squash side dish.

What is to squash food with a fork spoon? ›

MASH: To squash food with a fork, spoon, or masher.

How to roast butternut squash in Jamie Oliver? ›

Place the squash in one layer in a roasting tray and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the seeds, cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the skin of the squash is soft, then remove the foil and cook for another 10 minutes until the squash is golden and crisp.

Can I cut squash a day ahead? ›

Cutting butternut squash ahead of time will make meal prep much faster. If you won't be cooking it right away, place it in airtight containers and store in the refrigerator up to 4 days. You can freeze butternut squash too! Again, place it in airtight, freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze up to 1 month.

Can you cut up yellow squash ahead of time? ›

Wash well before using (thin skins can hold a surprising amount of grit); since squash doesn't turn brown when cut, feel free to chop or slice ahead of time so you'll be ready to go when it's time to cook your squash. Summer squash is wonderfully versatile and takes well to grilling, roasting, steaming and sautéing.

How do you store cut squash overnight? ›

How to Store Cut Butternut Squash
  1. Place the cubes into a glass container (that has an air-tight lid).
  2. Pour about 1/4″ of cold water on the bottom of the dish. ...
  3. Next, take 1-2 wet paper towels, and lay them on top of the cubes covering as much as you can.
  4. Place the lid on and store it in the fridge.
Oct 5, 2021

Can you prep summer squash ahead of time? ›

I usually prep summer squash two ways for the freezer. First I do a lot of it breaded and ready to fry because my husband and teenage son prefer fried squash over any other way. So being able to prep it for the freezer and have it for many months down the road to just pull out and fry is a blessing for sure.

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