This Baked Butternut Squash is easy, delicious, and customizable to your taste preferences! Requiring minimal prep, ingredients, and kitchen tools, this squash is a great way to liven up meals and holiday dinners. Use it for salads, soups, or eat it as-is!
This yummy baked butternut squash is an easy way to use leftover winter squash. With simple seasoning, this recipe creates a versatile squash dish you can repurpose for various recipes. Since the seasoning is so simple, you can add sweet or savory spices depending on your needs.
Here are a few other ways to make butternut squash: Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce and Air Fryer Butternut Squash.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy – These roasted butternut squash halves only require 10 minutes of prep time.
- Simple – You only need a few kitchen tools for this baked butternut squash recipe.
- Tasty – Keeping the seasoning simple with butternut squash recipes (like this one) allows the slightly sweet, nutty taste of roasted squash to shine through.
- Versatile – Adjust the seasoning based on the final dish you’re creating with this oven-roasted butternut squash.
- Perfect for the holiday season – Even though butternut squash is considered an autumn ingredient, it’s great for winter holiday dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Bake Butternut Squash in the Oven
Quick Overview
- Preheat oven.
- Cut squash.
- Roast.
Step by Step Instructions
Use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half to help avoid injuries.
Add olive oil first so the seasoning sticks to the squash.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Using your hands and a spoon, scoop out all of the strings and seeds.
Step 3: Place the squash halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush generously with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Bake for 65-75 minutes or until fork tender.
Seasoning Ideas
- Cinnamon & brown sugar – Skip the salt and pepper and use cinnamon (or warming spices) and brown sugar for a healthier dessert.
- Herbs – Since this squash has a subtle taste, it works well with many herbs such as rosemary, thyme, herbs de Provence, and oregano.
- Spicy – Add heat to the butternut squash by sprinkling cayenne powder or spicy paprika.
- Buttery – If you want a more decadent baked butternut squash dish, use butter instead of olive oil. Use a 1:1 ratio for this swap.
How to Use Roasted Butternut Squash Halves
Baked butternut squash is a versatile ingredient, that’s why I love making it. Here are a few ideas for ways to use cooked butternut squash halves:
- Use the squash as a salad topper
- Turn it into soup
- Make a healthy dessert
- Use it for a creamy mac and cheese sauce
- Add it to savory pies
- Make a harvest bowl
Expert Tips
- Use a sharp knife. It can be challenging to slice through squash since they’re typically thick and dense. To avoid the knife slipping and potentially knicking you (or worse), ensure you use a sharp knife. This tip will help you slice through the squash more easily and safely.
- Adjust the cook time. Since baked butternut squash can vary quite a bit in size, you may need to adjust the cook time. If you can only find smaller butternut squash, start with 45 minutes and check if it’s fork tender. Larger squash may need extra time as well.
- Remove the skin with a fork. Since the skin is typically quite chewy/tough, it’s best to remove it before you use/serve the squash. You can peel butternut squash easily with a fork. Allow the squash to cool, then use a fork to peel up the skin. It should come off easily.
Additions & Variations
- Cubes: If you prefer, you can create baked butternut squash cubes, which are great for salads and other dishes. To create butternut squash cubes, peel the squash, deseed it, and cut the flesh into 1-inch squares. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, season the cubes with olive oil and the spices of your choosing. Then, bake for about 25-30 minutes.
- Cheesy: Another great way to add flavor/richness to butternut squash is by sprinkling cheese onto the squash. Sprinkle on shredded cheese (parmesan, cheddar, a cheese mix, etc.) before baking, and enjoy an ooey-gooey squash recipe.
- Sweet: Turn this recipe into a sweet dish by making baked butternut squash with brown sugar. Add oil, warming spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice mix, etc.), and about two tablespoons of brown sugar (or maple syrup) to each butternut squash half. Bake according to the above instructions.
Recipe FAQs
I recommend roasting butternut squash, as it helps bring out the natural sweetness. When you bake or roast butternut squash, it allows the baked butternut squash to caramelize (especially if you cube it first) for an even more tasty dish.
Bake butternut squash without a cover. It will not burn cooking via this method. Ensure you cook the squash cut-side up/skin-side down.
Technically, yes, you can eat butternut squash skin. It has quite a few nutrients in it. However, it can be tough to chew. Most recipes recommend removing the skin before eating butternut squash.
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How to Bake Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, washed
- 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise.1 large butternut squash, washed
- Using your hands and a spoon, scoop out all of the strings and seeds.
- Place the squash halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush generously with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.2-3 Tablespoons olive oil, salt & pepper
- Bake for 65-75 minutes or until fork tender.
Notes
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Use a sharp knife. It can be challenging to slice through squash since they’re typically thick and dense. To avoid the knife slipping and potentially knicking you (or worse), ensure you use a sharp knife. This tip will help you slice through the squash more easily and safely.
- Adjust the cook time. Since baked butternut squash can vary quite a bit in size, you may need to adjust the cook time. If you can only find smaller butternut squash, start with 45 minutes and check if it’s fork tender. Larger squash may need extra time as well.
- Remove the skin with a fork. Since the skin is typically quite chewy/tough, it’s best to remove it before you use/serve the squash. You can peel butternut squash easily with a fork. Allow the squash to cool, then use a fork to peel up the skin. It should come off easily.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
