It’s time to start thinking about putting your beloved summer zucchini to the side and embracing its winter cousin, butternut squash. Whether you like it stuffed, layered in lasagna, or tossed in a delicious curry, the butternut squash recipe options are pretty limitless, especially when you’re in the mood for a perfect cozy dinner. Keep reading for 17 drool-worthy butternut squash recipes that you can easily prepare any night of the week. Save them for your Friendsgiving spread too!
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Try this healthy butternut squash recipe from chef Serena Poon with a variety of swaps below!
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes
Total Time: 85 minutes
Serving Size: 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ea medium butternut squash, halved, seeds removed
- 4 tsp avocado oil
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 C tri-colored quinoa (any other quinoa is fine too)
- 1 1/3 C vegetable broth, homemade or low sodium
- 1 bunch curly kale, stems removed, leaves rough chopped
- 2 ea fresh thyme sprigs
- ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt or sea salt, to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp fresh ground white pepper, to taste (optional)
- 15 oz cooked chickpeas (if using canned or bottled, rinse and drain)
- 1 ea medium orange, zested
- ½ each juice of half of the zested orange above
- 1/3 C fresh pomegranate seeds
- ¼ C pine nuts (raw or toasted, optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pre-heat oven to 425F, place rack in the middle of the oven
- Arrange the butternut squash halves, cut side up on an unlined sheet pan
- Drizzle and spread 1 tsp of avocado oil on each of the 4 cut halves of butternut squash, light salt and pepper each half
- Bake uncovered for 55-60minutes, or until fork tender.
- While the butternut squash is baking, use a fine mesh sieve to thoroughly rinse the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with the broth and bring to fast simmer.
- Cover the saucepan with the quinoa with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Removed the quinoa from heat (keeping covered with the lid) and allow to sit and steam for another 3 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with a fork.
- Using a large skillet, 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Add to the skillet the torn kale leaves and cook until just slightly wilted, about 2-3 minutes and reduce heat to medium low.
- Add to the kale the thyme sprigs, salt and pepper, to taste. Heat until slightly fragrant. Remove thyme stems.
- Add to the skillet the chickpeas, the cooked quinoa, squeeze juice from the half orange, and add the orange zest. Remove from heat.
- Once butternut squash is fork tender and slight caramelized on the edges, remove from the oven and allow to cool (while still on the pan).
- Using heat protective gloves, scoop out the flesh of the butternut squash, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the sides. Reserve this for a later use.
- Add the pomegranate seeds and pine nuts to the kale and quinoa mixture and toss to combine. Ready for filling!
- Stuff the butternut squash halves with a heaping amount of the kale and quinoa mixture. Ready to serve! (Reserve any extra stuffing for later use for a buddha bowl.
*ALTERNATIVES
- Can use acorn squash instead of butternut squash
- Can use cranberries instead of pomegranate seeds. In this case, add cranberries to the stuffing when adding the quinoa to the kale.
- Can use other nuts instead of pine nuts: chopping toasted hazelnuts, chopped pecans, toasted almond slivers.
- Can add vegan parmesan to the top of the stuffing and warm in the oven for 5 minutes before service.
Butternut Squash Salad
This recipe calls for roasted butternut on a bed of greens, paired with a perfectly tangy homemade apple cider dressing. It comes together super fast so you can make it effortlessly — consider your next dinner idea on us. (via Brit + Co)
Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken
We love Half Baked Harvest's twist on butter chicken with the sweetness of butternut squash. It melts right into the sauce, making it even creamier. Yum!
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe is vegan, and has around 300 calories a serving. Blend it together with delicious ingredients like coconut milk, vegetable broth, cinnamon, and ginger. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Five-Ingredient Butternut Squash Fritters
These fritters have the feel of hash browns but with a sweeter flavor. Top them with sour cream and plenty of scallions. (via Skinny Ms.)Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole
This fusion of lasagna and enchiladas into a classic casserole is all you need for a comforting night in. If the layers of butternut squash, beans, and tortillas don’t do you in, the thick topping of cheese will. (via Julia’s Album)Butternut Squash Chili
Combine cubed butternut squash, ground turkey, and black beans with a ton of tomatoes and spices to create a healthy one-pot-wonder for the whole family. (via Chew Out Loud)Butternut Squash Pasta
It’s time to dust off that spiralizer you swore you’d use every day. Butternut squash stands up really well to the technique, and it creates a beautiful pasta-like shape that goes perfectly with any sauce. (via B.Britnell)Butternut Squash Quinoa Casserole
This casserole is so hearty and full of flavor, you would never know that it’s totally vegetarian. Say hello to your new Southwestern meatless Monday favorite. (via Trial and Eater)Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
The next time you decide to stay in for date night, creamy risotto has got to be on the menu. Serve it alongside a seared filet and roasted asparagus. (via Life As a Strawberry)Butternut Squash Roasted Broccoli Alfredo Penne Skillet
Hiding veggies in your kids’ meals is one of the great joys of parenting. This penne may look like their favorite mac and cheese, but it’s actually a creamy Alfredo sauce made of butternut squash puree. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)Creamy Four Cheese Spinach Butternut Squash
It doesn’t get richer and more indulgent than butternut squash stuffed with a four cheese cream sauce. (via Eatwell 101)Garlic Parmesan Roasted Butternut Squash
Now that you can buy pre-cubed butternut squash right in the produce section, it’s even easier to incorporate it into your weeknight meals. Try tossing it in garlic and Parmesan before roasting for a simple side dish. (via Rasa Malaysia)Garlic Butter Roasted Butternut Squash
This Hasselback-style butternut squash recipe ensures that every bite has a buttery garlic flavor. The presentation isn’t too shabby either. (via Eatwell 101)Stuffed Butternut Squash
Why have your burrito in a bowl when you could have it spooned inside a squash? Fill it with rice, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, with a generous sprinkle of cheese and cilantro on top. (via Life Tastes Good)Thai Butternut Squash Red Curry
Butternut squash adds just the right amount of sweetness to this otherwise spicy curry. Pair it with a spoonful of basmati rice and a garnish of peanuts, lime, and cilantro. (via Little Spice Jar)Black Bean and Butternut Squash Quesadillas
Everyone loves a good quesadilla, especially when you can call it healthy. Throw in a ton of black beans, mashed butternut squash, and salsa. (via The Live-in Kitchen)
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This post has been updated from a previous 2017 post.