32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners
This versatile squash is easy to make as a soup, pasta, side dish and more for a comforting meal.
Fall is the perfect season to tap into a bounty of seasonal fall fruits and vegetables. One favorite in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen: The very versatile and very delicious squash. From delicata to acorn, the options are endless to turn out tasty and healthy fall recipes starring this fruit (yep, squash is a fruit!). If you’re greeted with a heap of butternut squash at the grocery store this season, try out some easy butternut squash recipes to make the most of it. From butternut squash soup perfect for your Thanksgiving menu to air fryer recipes, we have an abundance of healthy squash recipes to serve up this fall.
Intimidated by prepping this pear-shaped beast? Seriously, don’t worry! It’s a lot easier to peel and slice than you think. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to peel and cut butternut squash in a few easy steps so you can make it the star of your fall and winter dinner table. Once it’s prepped, butternut squash makes for an easy, vegetarian main for any weeknight dinner (move aside, spaghetti squash!) or a simple crowd-pleasing side dish the whole family will love (hasselback butternut squash, anyone?).
Whatever your preferences when cooking up this tasty gourd, you’re sure to find delicious recipes to use it. From curry to risotto, mashed or deeply caramelized, get ready to dig into the bounty of fall and all the yummy butternut squash recipes that come with it.
Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup
This soup, packed with sweet squash, smoky spices and hearty quinoa, is oh-so-satisfying.
Get the Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup recipe.
RELATED: 40 Fall Soup Recipes to Keep You Cozy During Autumn Nights
Quinoa-Stuffed Squash
Honeynut is a super cute mini type of squash that cooks quickly, but it can be tricky to find. Swap in butternut for the same sweet flavor — just be sure to roast them for a little bit longer.
Get the Quinoa-Stuffed Squash recipe.
Butternut Squash Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter
A can of butternut squash puree makes this cozy baked pasta so simple. Don't skip the nutty topping for added crunch.
Get the Butternut Squash Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter recipe.
Air Fryer Squash Soup
Roast up butternut squash, carrots and aromatics until caramelized and golden brown for a delicious, nutritious soup base — without turning on your oven and heating up your whole kitchen.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter
This stunning squash is not just a delicious Thanksgiving side dish, it's practically a work of art!
Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash With Maple Brown Butter recipe.
Butternut Squash Curry
Dive into a one-pot dinner that makes excellent leftovers, too.
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette
Roasted squash, onions, and spicy arugula are tossed together in a nutty sesame vinaigrette. What more could you want in this delicious vegetarian dinner?
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette recipe.
RELATED: 20 Easy Fall Salads to Make the Most of Harvest Season
Balsamic-Glazed Pork with Roasted Butternut Squash
Make a quick pan sauce of balsamic vinegar, honey and fresh thyme to top off juicy pork tenderloin.
Get the Balsamic-Glazed Pork with Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
Winter Squash Soup
This winter squash soup is a great Thanksgiving starter, but would be just as good for a simple fall dinner on a chilly weeknight.
Get the Winter Squash Soup recipe.
Instant Pot Beef and Barley Stew
Butternut squash adds heartiness to this delicious dinner staple.
Get the Instant Pot Beef and Barley Stew recipe.
RELATED: 30 Best Instant Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners
Vegetable Torte
Squash, kale, potato and tomato star in this beautiful layered pie that takes 15 minutes to prep. Serve it as a hearty vegetarian main dish or as an impressive side.
Get the Vegetable Torte recipe.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Use an Instant Pot and this tasty risotto will be done before you realize it was even cooking.
Get the Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.
RELATED: 5 Best Instant Pot Models of 2023, Tested by Experts
Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette
The best way is the classic way: sliced up, roasted and dressed with a tangy finish.
Get the Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash With Cider Vinaigrette recipe.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Start Thanksgiving dinner off right with a cozy Instant Pot fall soup, full of fall's fave (butternut squash!).
Creamy Roasted Squash Puree
Turn roasted squash into a sweet and smooth butternut squash puree by simply blending in a food processor.
Get the Creamy Roasted Squash Puree recipe.
Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew
Enjoy tender squash and creamy lentils in minutes thanks to the magical kitchen genie that is your pressure cooker.
Get the Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew recipe.
Roasted Squash Panzanella
This combo of kale and crusty country bread is perfect for fall. You find more recipes like it in Skillet: Over 70 Delicious One Pan Recipes.
Get the Roasted Squash Panzanella recipe.
Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup
Get cozy with a hearty, flavor-packed soup, full of fall's star squash.
Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash
This fall-favorite roasted butternut squash gets a little extra sweetness from a drizzle of maple syrup.
Cavatappi with Butternut Squash and Bacon
Think of this hearty pasta as mac and cheese with an extra serving of veggies (plus some bacon, for good measure).
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