31 Butternut Squash Recipes You’ll Absolutely Fall For
Butternut squash is the undeniable darling of the autumn produce aisle—and for good reason. Our best butternut squash recipes prove the fall favorite is as vibrant as it is versatile: It can be roasted, steamed, or seared; puréed into soup, caramelized into crispy cubes, or layered in cheesy casseroles. It can be the stand-alone star in vegetarian dishes, but it’s also fantastic when paired with sausage or bacon. And thanks to its natural sweetness, it can even be baked into a cake or pie.
Butternut squash is in season during the fall and winter months, but it’s available at the grocery store year-round. We know what you’re thinking: Do you really need to peel butternut squash before roasting? Technically the skin is edible, but it can turn papery when roasted. If you’re planning a purée, don’t bother peeling; cut the butternut squash in half and roast it with the skin on. Once the flesh is tender, simply scoop it out with a spoon. Otherwise save yourself the trouble of breaking down the big, bulbous gourd and buy pre-peeled, cubed butternut squash.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou1/31Braised Butternut Squash in Spiced Coconut Gravy
For a holiday-worthy vegetarian main course, braise large wedges of butternut squash in a warm, spiced coconut gravy. The cool coconut milk balances the punchy Kashmiri chili powder and cayenne. When we say it’s one of our favorite butternut squash recipes, we mean it.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert3/31Quick Vegetable Massaman Curry
Need a speedy dinner? This vegetable curry—loaded with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots—can be on the table in an hour. Cut all the veg into 1" cubes so they cook evenly.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini4/31Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell5/31Creamy Squash Risotto With Toasted Pepitas
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson6/31Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks7/31Miso-Tahini Squash Soup With Brown Rice
Rich with nutty tahini, savory miso, and plenty of ginger and garlic, this comforting vegetarian soup is just what the doctor ordered for a chilly weeknight. And it takes a total time of just 40 minutes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege10/31Creamy One-Pot Pasta With Sausage and Squash
No need to boil water for this one-pot meal. Pasta simmers in a luxe sauce of Italian sausage, butternut squash, sage, and cream until glossy.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/31Cod With Miso–Butternut Squash Sauce
Leftover soup? Turn it into sauce. Use the above squash purée as a poaching liquid for flaky white fish, like cod.
Photo by Dana Gallagher13/31Maple Butternut Sheet-Pan Cake
Thought pumpkin was the only gourd in your baking arsenal? Think again. Capitalize on the natural sweetness of butternut squash in a spiced, maple-spiked sheet cake.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton14/31Twice-Baked Butternut Squash With Parmesan Cream and Candied Bacon
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell15/31Pork Tenderloin With Turmeric, Squash, and Collard Greens Salad
Photo by Penny De Los Santos16/31Butternut Pumpkin Pie
This sweet squash pie swaps out the usual canned pumpkin for a custard made with fresh butternuts. It tastes far more vibrant than any sad Thanksgiving slices you’ve had in the past. For full fall vibes, top with candied pecans.
17/31Instant Pot Konkani Lobia
If you don’t have an hour to roast butternut squash in the oven, expedite the process by cooking it in the Instant Pot.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks18/31Sunflower Seed "Risotto" With Squash and Mushrooms
This grain-free version of risotto starts with sunflower seeds, simmered until they soften to a rice-like texture. The thyme-scented squash and mushroom topping just might be the best part.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li22/31Butternut Squash, Coconut, and Ginger Muffins
Classic Morning Glory muffins get an update with grated butternut squash in place of carrot—plus coconut, ginger, and a crystalline brown sugar crust.
photo by Alex Farnum23/31Butternut Squash, Kale, and Crunchy Pepitas Taco
Stuff tortillas with sweet squash, earthy kale, and crunchy fried pumpkin seeds for a tasty vegetarian taco everyone will adore.
Photo by Galdones Photography24/31Instant Pot Bisibelabath
This South Indian dish combines dried lentils and chickpeas, greens, rice, fresh butternut squash, and tons of fragrant spices. It has all the big flavor of a slow-cooker meal, but thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s ready in a fraction of the time.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton26/31Kale Salad With Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Pumpkin Seeds
This colorful variation on kale salad features cubes of roasted butternut squash, juicy pomegranate seeds, and salty Parmesan. Pair with air fryer potato wedges, because balance.
Photo by Cara Howe27/31Roasted, Mashed Butternut Squash
This easy roasted butternut squash recipe is our ultimate weekly meal-prep superhero. Coarsely mash, season, and store the squash to use later in the week—as a spread, a sandwich filling, or the starting point of an easy appetizer. (Try piling it on little toasts with a dollop of ricotta and crispy sage leaf.)
Photo by Nassima Rothacker29/31Butternut Squash With Red Lentils and Tamarind
For an ultra-comforting fall dinner, top bowls of velvety dal—made with red lentils, tamarind paste, and coconut cream—with cubes of roasted butternut squash.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog30/31Butternut Squash Sandwich With Cheddar Cheese and Pickled Red Onion
Photo by Cara Howe31/31Steel-Cut Oats With Squash and Tahini
Set yourself up for breakfast success by making a big batch of steel-cut oats early in the week. Store in an airtight container, then reheat and top bowls with mashed squash and creamy tahini, plus a drizzle of maple syrup. It’s an unexpected butternut squash recipe that’ll set you up for a productive day.
