If you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook butternut squash to perfection, you’re in the right place! Whether you enjoy it as a simple side dish or want to incorporate it into flavorful fall soups and pastas, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you can achieve delicious results every time.
How to Cook Butternut Squash
Cooking roasted butternut squash is easier than you might think. Here’s what you need to do:
Peel the Squash
Peeling winter squash can be intimidating, but there’s no need to fear. Butternut squash has smooth and relatively thin skin, making it easy to work with. Simply grab a good vegetable peeler and start peeling from the stem, working downwards in long strips. Use short strokes to remove any remaining skin at the base of the squash. It’s as simple as that!
Cut the Squash
Next, let’s get the squash ready for cooking. Chop off the stem and slice the squash in half vertically. Place the halves with the cut side facing up and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. If your squash is too hard to cut safely, you can soften it by microwaving or warming it in the oven for a few minutes.
Dice the remaining squash into 1-inch cubes, discarding the seeds. Don’t worry about getting perfectly shaped pieces – just aim for even-sized cubes to ensure even cooking.
Bake and Enjoy!
Now it’s time to bring out the flavors. Spread the cubed squash in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle it with olive oil, and sprinkle generous pinches of salt and pepper. You can also add some fresh rosemary or thyme for extra deliciousness. Make sure to leave some space between each cube to allow them to crisp up nicely in the oven.
Pop the baking sheet into a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the squash is tender and golden brown. Once it’s done, get ready to enjoy a tasty treat!
What to Do with Roasted Butternut Squash
Golden brown and caramelized, baked butternut squash is delicious on its own as a simple side dish. Just sprinkle it with chopped parsley and serve! But why stop there? There are countless ways to incorporate this delightful ingredient into your meals. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Add it to an autumn-inspired pasta dish like stuffed shells, orecchiette, or spaghetti.
- Blend it into hummus for a creamy and flavorful twist.
- Stuff it into enchiladas or tacos for a unique and satisfying filling.
- Toss it into a salad to add a touch of sweetness and warmth.
- Blend it into soup for a comforting bowl of goodness. You can even try the Sheet Pan Squash Soup on page 87 of Love & Lemons Every Day!
- Create an easy grain bowl by combining it with quinoa, greens, your favorite protein, and generous drizzles of tahini sauce.
- Top a burrito bowl with it, along with cilantro lime rice, guacamole, pico de gallo or tomatillo salsa, black beans, and chipotle sauce or cilantro lime dressing.
- Or, for a sweet treat, puree it into pudding!
Let us know which butternut squash recipes you try!
More Favorite Roasted Veggies
If you’re a fan of baked butternut squash, you’ll love roasting these vegetables as well:
- Spaghetti Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Sweet Potatoes
Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and enjoying the process. So grab a butternut squash and let your culinary creativity soar! And if you’re looking for more inspiring recipes and helpful tips, don’t forget to visit Ekilove. Happy cooking!
