36 Butternut Squash Recipes to Try
This collection of sweet and savory butternut squash recipes includes dinner, side dishes and desserts. Squash has a sweet, nutty flavor that works in soups, curries, roasted sides and baked desserts.
I’ve included my own squash recipes and butternut variations, plus recipes shared by other food bloggers. Browse the sections below for dinner ideas, then take a look at the desserts if you fancy baking with squash. Each link takes you to the full recipe.
Main Dishes
1. Butternut Squash Casserole
Roasted squash bakes with bacon, apple and kale in this cheesy casserole. A buttery panko topping adds crunch to this fall favorite.
Recipe from The Forked Spoon. Get the Recipe
2. Butternut Squash Curry (Kaddu ki Subzi)
This Indian squash curry cooks with tomatoes and cumin, with amchur adding a little tang. Enjoy it with rice or flatbread.
Recipe from My Cooking Journey. Get the Recipe
3. Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Beef and Butternut Squash
Beef and butternut squash cook slowly in a honey-balsamic sauce. This is one of the butternut squash recipes that uses frozen squash cubes to cut down on prep.
Recipe from The Lazy Slow Cooker. Get the Recipe
4. Sheet Pan Baked Cod with Butternut Squash
Cod cooks with squash, red peppers and onion in this simple sheet pan dinner. Lime juice and chipotle chili powder season the fish and vegetables.
Recipe from Seasonal Cravings. Get the Recipe
5. Butternut Squash Chili
Black beans and squash simmer in a tomato-based chili with cumin and chili powder. This meatless option cooks in one pot. Less washing up is always a good thing, right?
Recipe from Corrie Cooks. Get the Recipe
6. Oven Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree
Roasted duck legs come with a squash puree enriched with mascarpone and Parmesan. It comes with an aromatic lemon and herb butter sauce.
Recipe from JoinYourLife4U. Get the Recipe
7. Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted squash halves hold an Italian sausage and wild rice filling with mushrooms and dried cranberries. Each half makes an individual serving dish.
Recipe from Dutch Oven Daddy. Get the Recipe
Pasta, Risotto and Grain Bowls
8. Chicken Risotto with Butternut Squash
My chicken risotto includes white wine and Parmesan, with your choice of roasted pumpkin or squash folded in. It’s delicious either way.
Recipe from Victoria Haneveer. Get the Recipe
9. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Butternut Squash
Gnocchi roasts with chicken sausage, squash and Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan. Spinach and Gruyère go in toward the end. It’s a hearty and tasty meal.
Recipe from Our Tiny Nest. Get the Recipe
10. Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
Large pasta shells hold a squash filling flavored with maple syrup and nutmeg. They bake in a Parmesan and sage cream sauce.
Recipe from My Rad Kitchen. Get the Recipe
11. Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach
Spinach, ricotta and squash fill the layers of this lasagna. Choose it if you’re looking for a meatless pasta bake or vegetarian butternut squash recipes.
Recipe from Thermocookery. Get the Recipe
12. Baked Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Cashews and squash puree form the dairy-free sauce for this baked mac and cheese. A seasoned panko topping gives it the right amount of satisfying crunch.
Recipe from Joyful Balance. Get the Recipe
13. Butternut Squash Quinoa Bowl with Chicken and Bacon
This quinoa meal combines squash with chicken and crisp bacon. Pecans, Parmesan and an optional honey-Dijon drizzle give it plenty of flavor.
Recipe from Moderately Messy RD. Get the Recipe
14. Butternut Squash Mushroom Risotto
Browned mushrooms and cubes of squash give this Parmesan risotto more texture than a smooth squash sauce. The rice cooks with white wine and herbs.
Recipe from Hip Hip Gourmet. Get the Recipe
Soups
15. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
This butternut soup simmers the squash with onion and chicken stock and then blends it into a smooth soup. Heavy cream and a little nutmeg make a great topping.
Recipe from Victoria Haneveer. Get the Recipe
16. Roasted Garlic and Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
For a spiced soup, try the butternut variation of this roasted pumpkin soup with warm spices. Swap the pumpkin for the same prepared weight of butternut squash and roast it with the garlic.
Recipe from Victoria Haneveer. Get the Recipe
17. Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash
Shredded chicken and cubes of squash fill this wholesome, brothy soup. Celery and thyme give it the familiar homemade chicken soup flavor.
Recipe from LikeHotKeto. Get the Recipe
18. Thai Red Curry Butternut Squash Soup
Thai red curry paste and coconut milk give this blended squash soup a spicy, creamy base. Choose this one if you want something different from a classic squash soup.
Recipe from Chili Pepper Madness. Get the Recipe
Salads
19. Butternut Squash and Apple Kale Salad
Roasted squash joins raw kale and Honeycrisp apples in this salad. Pecans add crunch, and a honey-Dijon vinaigrette is delicious with it.
Recipe from The Short Order Cook. Get the Recipe
20. Creamy Butternut and Beetroot Salad
Roasted beets and squash combine with chopped white cabbage in a creamy dressing. It’s a colorful alternative to a leafy salad and one of the tastiest vegan butternut squash ideas.
Recipe from Yum Vegan Blog. Get the Recipe
21. Spinach and Butternut Squash Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
Crisp prosciutto and pine nuts top baby spinach and butternut squash. It’s finished with a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic dressing.
Recipe from Chef’s Pencil. Get the Recipe
Side Dishes
22. Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Butternut Squash
Add butternut squash to garlic roasted potatoes for a mixed vegetable side dish. Chili powder and parsley add flavor. This one can also be made using carrots or pumpkin.
Recipe from Victoria Haneveer. Get the Recipe
23. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries
Maple-roasted squash cooks with cranberries and pecans to make this colorful dish. With a goat cheese topping, it’s a festive side for a holiday dinner.
Recipe from State of Dinner. Get the Recipe
24. Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
Cut squash into fries for this air fryer side dish. They’re an alternative to roasted cubes if you want a different shape to serve with dinner.
Recipe from Low Carb Spark. Get the Recipe
25. Butternut Squash Puree with Fontina, Thyme and Brown Butter
Fontina cheese and brown butter enrich this smooth squash puree. Fresh thyme contrasts beautifully with the sweet squash taste.
Recipe from An Edible Mosaic. Get the Recipe
26. Butternut Squash Blossom
One of the prettiest recipes using butternut squash! Overlapping squash slices form a flower shape in a round baking dish. Maple syrup, onion and bacon give lots of flavor to this decorative roasted side.
Recipe from GypsyPlate. Get the Recipe
Appetizers and Breakfast
27. Butternut Squash Crostini with Shallots
Crostini topping blends roasted squash with sautéed shallots and almond or peanut butter. Spoon it onto toasted baguette slices just before serving. An easy fall favorite.
Recipe from Victoria Haneveer. Get the Recipe
28. Roasted Butternut Squash Seeds
Save the seeds when you cut your squash – don’t throw them out! A coating of brown sugar, soy sauce and lime juice turns them into a crunchy snack.
Recipe from In the Kitch. Get the Recipe
29. Butternut Squash Toast
Roasted squash and caramelized onions top crisp toast spread with ricotta and feta. Cut the toast into smaller pieces and it becomes a party appetizer.
Recipe from Next Level Baker. Get the Butternut Squash Toast Recipe
30. Butternut Squash, Parmesan and Sage Tart
Roasted squash tops a Parmesan cream filling inside a pastry crust. Fresh sage gives this tart a herby flavor. Enjoy it with a simple salad for lunch or supper.
Recipe from Rachel Phipps. Get the Recipe
31. Vegan Butternut Squash Dip
Roasted squash and red bell pepper blend with vegan cream cheese for a smooth dip. Enjoy it with crackers, chips or vegetables.
Recipe from The All Natural Vegan. Get the Recipe
32. Butternut Squash Breakfast Hash with Sage and Eggs
Potatoes and butternut squash cook together in this breakfast hash that’s with sage and eggs. It’s a savory way to enjoy squash before lunchtime.
Recipe from Wholesome Family Meals. Get the Recipe
Baking and Drinks
33. Butternut Squash Bread
Squash puree goes into this sweet quick bread with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Slice it for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Recipe from Mom Foodie. Get the Recipe
34. Butternut Squash Apple Cake
One of my favorite butternut squash recipes! Grated apples and squash go into an almond flour cake with cinnamon and cranberries. Cut it into squares to serve with a cup of tea or coffee.
Recipe from Refresh My Health. Get the Recipe
35. Butternut Squash Pie
Squash puree forms a spiced custard filling in a pastry crust. This gives you another option for a fall dessert if you usually bake pumpkin pie but want butternut squash recipes instead.
Recipe from Eating on a Dime. Get the Recipe
36. Butternut Butterscotch Latte
Real squash puree blends into strong coffee with coconut milk and butterscotch flavoring. Maple syrup sweetens this homemade fall latte. Goodbye PSL, hello butternut butterscotch latte!
Recipe from An Edible Mosaic. Get the Recipe
If you usually save butternut squash for soup, try it in a stuffed squash dinner or a pasta bake next time. Roasting is another way to enjoy its sweetness, whether you serve it as a side dish or add it to a salad. And save the seeds when you scoop them out: there’s a roasted seed recipe above so you can use those too.
For another filling idea, my creative wonton ideas include a combination of butternut squash puree, ricotta and sage, or you might enjoy these chicken marinade recipes.
Which of these butternut squash recipes are you adding to your must-try list?
