Roasted Acorn Squash

This Roasted Acorn Squash recipe is an ode to my mom's recipe that she would make when I was younger! She would roast the squash and then mash it into the perfect creamy squash. 

This recipe is a little bit different, but still has that same roasted flavor! But instead of mashing up the squash, I serve it as is. The squash kind of acts as its own little bowl, so you can fill it up with your favorite dishes and eat it all in the same delicious mouthful! This is my favorite part of the leftovers.

It's also a beautiful side dish on any holiday table since the presentation is gorgeous.

Roasted Acorn Squash is the perfect fall and winter side dish for busy weeknight dinners and holiday meals. No matter how you serve it, it’s going to be a hit.

Looking for more ways to cook squash? Try this roasted delicata squash, Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash, and Simple Grilled Acorn Squash!

Why You'll Love This Easy Roasted Acorn Squash

Here are some of our top reasons why you’ll love this cozy side dish:

• Versatile: You can play around with different ingredients to get a customized squash recipe!
• Flavorful: The butter, brown sugar, and spices create a decadent layer of flavor that blends beautifully with the acorn squash!
• Nutritious: This recipe is just as nutritious as it is delicious! Acorn squash is packed with nutrients, making it the perfect addition to any meal.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make this roasted acorn squash, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Acorn squash: This winter squash is naturally sweet and buttery, making it the perfect base for our delicious dish. If you’ve never had acorn squash before, some people say it tastes a bit like a cross between butternut squash and pumpkin.
• Brown sugar: A small amount of brown sugar goes a long way in adding tremendous flavor to this dish. You could also use maple syrup or honey.
• Butter: There is no better topping for Roasted Acorn Squash than melted butter. Trust me on this. It makes it perfectly rich, savory, and flavorful.
• Spices: I like to use a combination of garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Feel free to swap out the chili powder for smoked paprika or use any combination of spices you prefer.

How to Make Roasted Acorn Squash

It’s so easy to make this recipe! Here’s a breakdown of what to do:

1. Prep the Squash

Preheat your oven, then cut the acorn squash in half and remove the seeds. For a quicker cook, microwave the squash halves with a little water until they’re fork-tender.

Pro tip: If you like, you can cut the acorn squash into slices and roast it in the oven instead of popping it into the microwave! Brush the butter, brown sugar, and spices on top and bake for 25 minutes.

2. Mix the Spices

Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl, creating a sweet and savory spice blend.

3. Add Butter and Spice

Place the squash halves in a baking dish, add a pat of butter to each half, and sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the tops.

4. Roast and Caramelize

Bake the squash until it’s tender and beginning to caramelize. For extra sweetness and a nutty crunch, add some chopped nuts in the last few minutes. If you want a crisp, caramelized top, broil briefly to finish.

How do you know when acorn squash is done?

It should be done when the flesh is fork-tender! If not, just keep roasting until it is.

How to Cut Acorn Squash Like a Pro

This recipe does require your squash to be cut in half and seeded. To cut your squash, start on one side of the stem and cut straight through. Then, cut around the acorn, through the tip, and around the other side. Then, just pull the two sides apart.

Ways to Serve

There are so many ways to enjoy this drool-worthy dish! You can eat it on its own or with one of the following methods:

• Holiday: Serve it alongside some Baked Turkey Tenderloin or Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
• Bowl: As a grain bowl filled with farro or quinoa, arugula, dried cranberries, and feta cheese. You could also add Rosemary Chicken for extra protein!
• Side: Serve it as a side dish alongside other vegetables like Caramelized Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Green Beans.
• Dinner: Make a cozy dinner by serving this squash with some Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork or Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken.

Recipe Tips

Here are my top tips and tricks for bringing this delicious acorn squash to life:

• Switch up your spices: Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to your spices. Using fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dried Italian seasoning is a delicious way of making this roasted squash recipe your own. For a bit of spice, you can even sprinkle some cayenne pepper on top! You can also do a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy twist!
• Use a chef’s knife: Acorn squashes can be tough to cut through, so make sure you are using the right materials! A chef’s knife is my preferred method of cutting this squash, but any heavy-duty kitchen knife should do the trick.
• Add cheese: A sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, manchego, feta, or goat cheese will take your Roasted Acorn Squash to the next level, guaranteed.
• Save your seeds: Acorn squash seeds are great to save and roast later for an easy and healthy snack or salad topping.
• Up the heat: For a beautiful caramelization of your squash, make sure to broil it for the last few minutes.
• Line your pan: For easy cleanup, always line your baking pan with parchment paper.
• Add nuts: I like to add pecans to my acorn squash, but walnuts would be perfect, too!
• Make it vegan: Instead of the butter, use olive oil or dairy-free butter.
• Make it savory: Sprinkle some cooked bacon or crumbled sausage on top for a savory twist!

How to Buy Acorn Squash

Never bought acorn squash before? Not sure what ripe squash looks like? No worries! Here’s what to look for when picking out your squash:

• Heavy: A ripe acorn squash should feel heavy, and its skin should be blemish-free and spotless.
• Firm: Your squash should be firm and not have any noticeable soft spots.
• Color: Ripe acorn squash is dark green and might have a patch of yellow or orange (from touching the ground prior to picking). However, be careful! Too much orange means it is over-ripe, and the flesh may be stringy.
• Skin: Try to avoid picking a squash with shiny skin, as this means it was probably picked too early.

How to Store Roasted Acorn Squash

I personally find that this dish is the most delicious fresh out of the oven, but you can easily make it in advance if needed. To store your Roasted Acorn Squash for later, make sure to let it cool down first. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or storage bag. Once properly contained, you can store the squash in one of two ways:

• Fridge: Up to 3-5 days.
• Freezer: Up to 3 months.

Pro Tip: If you are planning on freezing your acorn squash, I don’t recommend freezing the entire thing as is. It will freeze better if you scoop out the flesh prior to freezing it.

How to Reheat Leftover Acorn Squash

Reheating leftover acorn squash is easy peasy! Here's how you do it:

Turn the oven to 350 degrees and place the leftover squash on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Reheat for at least 15 minutes.

You can eat the heated acorn squash as is or mash it up just like my mom used to do!

To mash up the acorn squash, scoop out the insides with a spoon and mash it with a potato masher. Garnish with extra butter, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of spices because why not?