Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Roasted Butternut Squash with leeks, bacon, and a smoky-sweet apple glaze that brings these wonderful fall flavors together. This seasonal side dish is ready to take center stage on your table!

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Why We Love This Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Simple sides for the holiday season are my jam. I love cooking for my family during the holidays, but I also don’t want to get overwhelmed by going too over the top. If you’re like me, I encourage you this year, to cut yourself a break on the over-the-top has-to-be-perfect dinner.

Make it simple. Focus on a few key dishes, and kick the rest to the curb. That way you can use your energy to pay attention to what’s really important in your life, the people around you.

Speaking of simple, this smoky-sweet Roasted Butternut Squash would make a fabulous simple side dish for your Thanksgiving table. I roasted the butternut squash and leeks in a little bacon grease, then whipped up an easy and flavorful apple glaze using Musselman’s Apple Butter, honey, red wine vinegar, and a little spice.

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The rich apple butter, coriander, and touch of chipotle pepper made the roasted butternut squash and leeks burst with flavor.

I know butternut squash is often used in soups during the fall and winter months, like my own healthy butternut squash soup. But, it is actually super delicious roasted to perfection in the oven! You get a tender inside, with a caramelized and crispy outside. Plus, this smoky-sweet butternut roasted squash recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and savory!

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Ingredients You Need

This roasted butternut squash with leeks, bacon, and an apple glaze uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s what you need:

For the Roasted Butternut Squash

  • Butternut Squash – fresh and diced into cubes
  • Leeks – washed and sliced into thick pieces
  • Bacon – chopped
  • Salt & Black Pepper

For the Apple Glaze

  • Apple Butter – I used Musselman’s apple butter, but any apple butter will work as long as it has some cinnamon and spices in it!
  • Honey
  • Red Wine Vinegar – for a hint of tangy flavor and to balance out the sweetness of the apple butter
  • Salt
  • Coriander – a comforting and warming spice, or cumin will work in a pinch
  • Chipotle Pepper – for a little bit of heat
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How to Make Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a skillet or pan over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon grease.

Peel and deseed the butternut squash. Then dice into bite-sized or 1-inch cubes. Place the butternut squash cubes and leeks on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle the bacon grease over the top and toss to coat. Spread the butternut squash and leets out into a single layer, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the apple butter, honey vinegar, salt and spices together. After 30 minutes, drizzle the apple glaze over the vegetables and toss to coat. Spread the vegetables out again and roast for another 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top to serve and enjoy!

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Serving Suggestions

I highly recommend serving up this easy roasted butternut squash in a serving bowl alongside a spread of classic holiday dishes. Here are just a few of my family’s absolute favorites:

  • Fried Turkey Breasts
  • Cornish Hens
  • Baked Ham
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  • Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
  • Sausage and Mushroom Stuffing
  • Crispy Kale and Quinoa Salad
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Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (7)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you peel and chop a butternut squash?

Butternut squash can be slightly tricky to chop. First, I like to peel the squash using a vegetable peeler to get rid of the peel. Then, use a sharp knife to slice of each end of the squash. Carefully cut it in half, length-wise. Then you can scoop the seeds out with a spoon. Once the squash is cut in half, place the flat side down on the cutting board and dice into cubes!

Do you cook butternut squash with the skin on?

While the skin on butternut squash is technically edible, this recipe is better without it. I recommend using a sharp vegetable peeler to peel the whole squash before slicing and dicing it!

Is butternut squash healthy?

Yes! Butternut squash is actually a wonderful vegetable with loads of vitamins and minerals like vitamin a, vitamin c, magnesium, and potassium! I did end up cooking my squash with bacon, so this recipe has some added fat. To make this best-ever roasted butternut squash recipe healthier (and vegetarian), skip the bacon and drizzle the squash in extra virgin olive oil.

How should I store leftover roasted squash?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the microwave until heated through and enjoy!

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Looking for More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

  • Brussels Sprouts Gratin
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Sweet Potato Biscuits
  • Maple Bacon Corn Muffins
  • Roasted Vegetable Medley
  • Homemade Mac and Cheese
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Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (10)

Print Recipe

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Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Roasted Butternut Squash with leeks, bacon and a smoky-sweet apple glaze that brings these wonderful fall flavors together.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

For the Roasted Butternut Squash:

  • 1 medium butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 bunch leeks trimmed, thoroughly washed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 4 strips thick-cut bacon chopped
  • Salt and pepper

For the Apple Glaze:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon, until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon grease.

  • Place the chopped butternut squash and leeks on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle the bacon grease over the top and toss to coat. Spread the butternut squash and leeks out into a single layer, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.

  • Meanwhile whisk the Musselman’s Apple Butter, honey, vinegar, salt and spices together. After 30 minutes drizzle the apple glaze over the vegetables and toss to coat. Spread the vegetables out again and roast for another 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top and serve warm.

Notes

Butternut squash can be slightly tricky to chop. First, I like to peel the squash using a vegetable peeler to get rid of the peel. Then, use a sharp knife to slice of each end of the squash. Carefully cut it in half length-wise. Then you can scoop the seeds out with a spoon. Once the squash is cut in half, place the flat side down on the cutting board and dice into cubes!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 206kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 362mg, Potassium: 502mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 13320IU, Vitamin C: 26.2mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting? ›

Ditch the struggle. Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender.

What season is best for butternut squash? ›

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

Why is my roasted butternut squash mushy? ›

We are looking for browned, crisp edges on the outside and a soft, smooth texture on the inside. It's important to set your heat at 425°F - yes, that high! If your oven is set at a temperature that is too low, you'll end up with uncooked or mushy roasted squash. Don't be afraid to turn up the heat!

How to roast butternut squash Jamie Oliver? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

How to prep butternut squash for roasting? ›

Prep: Peel and cube the butternut squash. Season: Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast: Arrange the seasoned cubes on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until the squash is lightly browned and tender.

How many butternut squash per person? ›

Assuming that each portion is about 4 ounces (4 oz of squash per person), you will need about 5 lbs of squash. If you want there to be leftovers or you think folks will eat more than 4 ounces each (maybe some of your guests have bigger appetites), you will want to cook more than just 5 lbs.

What do British people call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

Is butternut squash anti-inflammatory? ›

Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is a superb source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, all of which can contribute to lower inflammation levels. Blend butternut squash into soups or roast it with a touch of cinnamon for a sweet and savory side dish.

How do you give squash more flavor? ›

Brown Nicely When cooking summer squash, don't be afraid of a little browning. A nicely browned surface adds great flavor. 5. Partner Strategically Finally, balance squash's milder taste with stronger flavors like chilies, curry, ginger, garlic, lemon, goat cheese and so on.

Why do my fingers feel weird after cutting butternut squash? ›

Raw butternut squash can cause some people to develop an allergic skin reaction called “squash hands.” Wearing gloves while handling the fruit or purchasing prepared butternut squash can help you prevent this skin reaction. A 1% hydrocortisone cream can help alleviate squash hands symptoms.

Why is my butternut squash tasteless? ›

If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

How to tell if cut butternut squash is bad? ›

A squash with soft spots and is soft to the touch, is a sign that the squash has gone bad. And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten.

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place squash cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast until almost completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Is it better to steam or boil butternut squash? ›

The squash also retains most of its nutrients when it is steamed and has a wonderfully sweet butternuttiness to it. Steamed butternut can also be used in a variety of ways – added to salads, mashed, puréed or enjoyed as is with a simple seasoning of your choice.

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