Many enjoy the season of summer because of the warm weather, longer days, fresh meals, and of course the trips to the beach. That said when it’s time to swap our t-shirts for sweaters, this seasonal transition is welcomed with falling leaves, crisp air, and of course comforting meals.
Butternut squash is in full harvest come fall so let’s make the best of it and enjoy it in as many dishes as we can. We’ve compiled a list of sweet and savory recipes that will help satisfy your butternut squash craving. You may even be surprised once you discover there are a few decadent dessert recipes too!
Butternut squash pasta carbonara may be unlike any pasta dish you’ve tried before. This dish is luxuriously creamy, rich and full of flavor. While traditional carbonara is cooked with egg, this recipe omits the egg but rest assured, you won’t even notice!
This recipe combines hearty butternut squash with salty bacon and fresh sage to create an unforgettable dinner. Share this meal with your family and they’ll think you order takeout from a 5-star restaurant.
https://www.cookingclassy.com/butternut-squash-pasta-carbonara/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: COOKING CLASSY
Chili is a serious comfort food and is great for chilly weather or when you have a craving for something savory. This isn’t your ordinary chili recipe as there is no ground meat or tomatoes, however, it is a refreshing change.
This chili is made with butternut squash, protein-rich white beans and loads of other flavorful ingredients. Further, this chili has a little kick thanks to the addition of jalapeno peppers. Finally, as a bonus, this chili is also vegan and vegetarian-friendly and certainly a great contender for Meatless Monday.
https://frommybowl.com/butternut-squash-white-bean-chili/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FROM MY BOWL
You’ve surely enjoyed mashed potatoes before but have you ever enjoyed mashed butternut squash? While it may have a different flavor it is a delicious way to enjoy the squash.
This recipe infuses the squash with butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice to create the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. This dish serves well as a side dish for holiday dinners but can be enjoyed all year round too.
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/mashed-butternut-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SPEND WITH PENNIES
This butternut squash risotto looks and tastes fancy but it’s easier to make than you may think. Full of elegant flavors from the freshly grated nutmeg to grated parmesan cheese. This meal is fit for date night or to enjoy with the whole family — your choice.
It’s important to roast the butternut squash first as this will add a lovely depth of flavor. Be sure to garnish the dish with fresh sage and additional parmesan cheese.
https://choosingchia.com/butternut-squash-risotto/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHOOSING CHIA
Roasted butternut squash does taste wonderful, however, it does require a lengthy cooking time. If you’re looking to cook the squash in a hurry be sure to use an Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot creates hands-off cooking, as well as accelerates the cooking time greatly. Better yet, there is no peeling required as the skin peels itself after cooking.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/instant-pot-hack-how-to-cook-butternut-squash/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
You can never go wrong with a warm bowl of savory soup! This butternut squash soup will truly satisfy you, especially on those cold dreary days or for when you need a little pick me up.
What makes this recipe great is that it cooks low and slow in a slow cooker. You essentially toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it! It’s so easy!
https://kristineskitchenblog.com/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-sweet-potato-soup/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=283456728_7356828_39926 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KRISTINE’S KITCHEN
You’ve surely thought about several savory ways to enjoy butternut squash but have you ever thought about adding butternut squash to your baking? Baking with butternut squash is great and because it has a similar texture to pumpkin, it can be incorporated into many recipes.
This butternut squash snack cake is deliciously sweet thanks to ingredients like brown sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. This is also a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet!
https://theliveinkitchen.com/butternut-squash-snack-cake/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE LIVE IN KITCHEN
Salads are healthy but they can get boring fast so a great way to fall in love with salad again is to continue to change up the ingredients. This delicious salad combines roasted butternut squash with fresh kale, dried cranberries, crispy chickpeas, and a sprinkle of feta cheese.
To achieve crispy seasoned chickpeas simply season them with a combination of paprika, garlic, cayenne, cumin, and pepper and then roast them in the oven. You’ll also be equipped with a delicious homemade salad dressing recipe that pairs perfectly with the salad.
https://peasandcrayons.com/2018/12/roasted-butternut-squash-kale-salad.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: PEAS AND CRAYONS
Lasagna is delicious and it’s hard to resist those cheesy, saucy, rich layers. However, step outside of your comfort zone and give this recipe a try! It puts a fun fall twist on a traditional recipe.
This lasagna has lavish layers of roasted butternut squash and loads of ooey-gooey cheese. Additionally, this is a great option for Meatless Monday and is vegetarian-friendly.
https://kristineskitchenblog.com/roasted-butternut-squash-lasagna/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KRISTINE’S KITCHEN
There are so many great ways to enjoy butternut squash as a side dish. But this side dish may steal the spotlight. You may have had hasselback potatoes but have you ever thought about hasselback butternut squash.
Not only do the slices allow the squash to cook evenly but they also allow the flavor to soak in too. While the squash cooks, it’s important to bast the juices every 10 minutes for maximum flavor.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/hasselback-butternut-squash-roasted-side-dish/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Butternut squash is an amazingly versatile ingredient and this is yet another dessert recipe that proves it can be added into almost everything. This butternut squash cake is soft, moist, and full of fragrant flavor.
The cake is sweetened with maple syrup and is seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. What sets this cake over the top is the homemade cream cheese frosting.
https://www.nelliebellie.com/butternut-squash-cake/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: NELLIE BELLIE
Mac and cheese may be a simple dinner but both children and adults love it. So when you need an easy meal that will please the whole family, stick to mac and cheese!
This recipe not only contains butternut squash but it’s dairy-free too which is great for those with a dairy allergy or for those who follow a vegan diet. This recipe certainly puts a healthy spin on traditional mac and cheese, however, it doesn’t lack flavor or creamy texture.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/kids-adult-friendly-vegan-mac-cheese/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
These fudgy brownies are so decadent that you won’t even notice the butternut squash. The squash merely helps to create that perfect fudgy texture.
These brownies don’t contain butter, flour, or refined sugar, yet they still have a rich flavor. Not only is this treat secretly healthy, but it’s so easy too as it only requires 3 ingredients.
https://thebigmansworld.com/healthy-3-ingredient-flourless-butternut-squash-fudge-brownies/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE BIG MAN’S WORLD
Transform the flavors you love about enchiladas into an enticing casserole that the whole family will enjoy. This casserole is chock full of veggies and protein-rich ingredients like chicken and beans.
Layer the ingredients in a casserole dish and then top it with loads of ooey-gooey cheese. This meal may be healthy but it certainly doesn’t lack flavor or texture!
https://thehonoursystem.com/chicken-enchilada-bake-with-butternut-squash-black-beans/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE HONOUR SYSTEM
Not only can butternut squash be added to enticing casseroles and decadent desserts but you can even spiralize it to mimic noodles! This recipe also includes protein-rich turkey sausage, kale, and many delicious seasoning.
There are many other spiralizer recipes you can try too. If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, you’ll definitely want to get one now!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/butternut-squash-noodles-with-kale-sausage/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
There isn’t anything quite as comforting as a bowl of delicious pasta, especially ravioli. This recipe combines ready-made butternut squash raviolo with a homemade sage brown butter sauce.
Using store-bought ravioli will help you save time and effort, in fact, this dish can come together in just 15 minutes. Share this dish with your significant other, or family and they’ll think you’re a 5-star chef!
https://www.aberdeenskitchen.com/2016/11/sage-brown-butter-sauce-butternut-squash-ravioli/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: ABERDEEN’S KITCHEN
Chai-spiced butternut squash muffins would make the perfect on-the-go breakfast or can be enjoyed as a treat any time of day. Instead of butternut squash puree, this recipe uses freshly grated squash, which means there is no baking or roasting required.
Additionally, this recipe utilizes whole wheat flour and rye flour to create a perfect nutty flavor. Finally, the muffins are infused with warm spices, from cloves to cardamom, fresh ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
https://brooklynsupper.com/butternut-squash-muffins/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BROOKLYN SUPPER
Feeding a crowd is no easy feat, especially if there are multiple dietary restrictions at your table. This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. But don’t worry, it’s still loaded with savory flavor.
Butternut squash, baby kale, and several fragrant seasonings make up this curry dish. Enjoy it as is or serve with basmati rice or cauliflower rice!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/stovetop-vegan-squash-kale-thai-curry/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Stuffed shells are served on a bed of luxuriously creamy butternut squash. This meal tastes like restaurant-quality but can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
Ground Italian sausage, spinach, ricotta cheese, and a few seasonings come together and make up the filling for the shells. This recipe provides thorough instructions as well as a few tips to ensure the pasta is cooked to perfection. Make this once and you’ll crave it time and time again.
https://www.extraforavocado.com/sausage-butternut-squash-stuffed-shells/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=498345166_17818024_502584 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: EXTRA FOR AVOCADO
Do you enjoy pillowy soft gnocchi? Then you’re going to love this recipe! Traditional gnocchi is made with potato, however, this recipe shows how you can use butternut squash instead!
The gnocchi’s require just 4 simple ingredients. You’ll be provided with instructions on how to mix the gnocchi dough as well as how to roll the pasta. Once cooked, follow the instructions to make the homemade sage brown butter sauce. Finally, serve the sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
https://www.thebeaderchef.com/squash-gnocchi-with-garlic-sage-brown-butter/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE BEARDER CHEF
