Hasselback Butternut Squash Recipe

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/26/23
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Headshot of Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 1 squash

Hasselback butternut squash is a gorgeous vegetarian dish that is a nice addition to any holiday table. It’s full of fall and winter flavors like walnuts, brown sugar, and sage. With only five ingredients and one pan, this dish is much easier than it looks. It will look like it took you all day to make and is sure to impress vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Hasselback is a technique of slicing a vegetable or fruit thinly while still leaving it connected, opening it up like an accordion. It's frequently used on potatoes, but works just as well with other firm, elongated veggies. In this recipe, it allows the butternut squash to get crispy while cooking evenly.

hasselback butternut squash served with pecans and fresh sage

The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

"This hasselback butternut squash is not only delicious, but it makes a beautiful presentation and will look quite impressive on any table at any time of year. A pair of chopsticks is all you really need to get the job done, and a good set of directions, which you'll find here." —Diana Andrews

Hasselback Butternut Squash Recipe/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 medium butternut squash

  • 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, more to taste

  • 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, more to taste

  • Fresh sage leaves, for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted walnuts

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425 F. 

    Ingredients to make hasselback butternut squash

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  2. Peel the butternut squash. Make sure to peel down to the brightest orange layer, getting rid of all of the peel, otherwise the squash will be tough when cooked. 

    peeled butternut squash

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  3. Cut the squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. 

    butternut squash sliced in half

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  4. Scoop out the seeds and strings from the inside of the squash. Reserve the seeds for roasting, if desired.

    butternut squash with seeds scooped out.

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  5. Place half of the squash cut-side down on a flat surface. Place a chopstick on either side of the squash. Make sure to place it as close to the squash as you can. This will prevent you from cutting all the way through the squash and helps you make the cuts uniform. 

    butternut squash with chopsticks

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  6. Slice the squash straight down until your knife stops at the chopsticks. Place each cut as close together as you can, about 1/8 of an inch is ideal. If you want to get super exact, you can put a ruler next to the squash. Repeat with the other half.

    person slicing butternut squash

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  7. Place the squash on a large foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Pat the top dry with a paper towel. Brush the top of the squash with the melted butter. Gently separate the cuts with your fingers and brush more butter in between the layers. Season with salt.

    sliced butternut squash on a baking sheet

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  8. Press the brown sugar evenly over the top of the squash. You can also add more in between the layers, if desired. Bake until tender, about 45 minutes. 

    butternut squash sprinkled with brown sugar

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

  9. Brush any glaze from the pan over the squash. Top with more salt, if desired. Thinly slice the sage leaves. Garnish the squash with the walnuts and sage leaves. Serve immediately.  

    hasselback squash served with pecans and fresh sage

    The Spruce/Preethi Venkatram

Tip

  • Look for butternut squash that are heavy for their size.
  • Select butternut squash with fat or long necks and a small bulb. These will yield the most meat.

Variations

  • Garnish with thyme leaves instead of sage.
  • Try pecans or pine nuts instead of walnuts.
  • Omit the brown sugar and drizzle with agave at the end before garnishing.

How to Store

  • Transfer to an airtight, covered container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • We don't advise freezing leftovers.

Is Butternut Squash a Fruit or a Vegetable?

Butternut squash is considered a fruit since it grows from the flower of the plant.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
142 Calories
8g Fat
20g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 142
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 360mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 23mg 115%
Calcium 70mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 448mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)