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Pumpkin has its moments, but some might think this fall belongs to another delicious vegetable: butternut squash. The possibilities are endless, whether you're roasting it, blending it into a creamy soup, or turning it into a comforting fall casserole. Ree Drummond loves tossing cubes onto a sheet pan with her favorite spices: "Something magical happens when you roast butternut squash," she says. You can try stuffing the squash for a cozy autumn dinner, work it into a fall pasta recipe, or serve it as magical Thanksgiving side dish. Once you know how to cut butternut squash the right way, you'll unlock all of the best butternut squash recipes. Ree herself took the words right out of our mouths: "I am a passionate lover of butternut squash!"
In fact, there's something for everyone in the family: enchiladas that double as a vegetarian meal, fall salads for those looking to get their greens, and a butternut squash mac and cheese that the kids are sure to love. There's even a recipe for butternut squash pancakes that will change the way you think about your morning meal (squash + maple syrup = pure heaven). If you grow your own garden bounty, harvesting butternut squash is best timed in the late summer to early fall and ideally before the first frost. So be sure to get your fill in before Thanksgiving this year!
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Butternut Squash Lasagna
Caitlin Bensel
This dreamy fall lasagna trades classic marinara for a silky butternut squash sauce—and boy, is it a good call. Layered up with sausage, melty cheese, and all that creamy goodness, it's the definition of cozy.
Say hello to the star of your dinner table. Overflowing with sausage, cheesy rice, and savory herbs, this stuffed squash is the type of dish that looks complicated but comes together without breaking a sweat.
Ree calls this risotto "glorious," and she's definitely onto something. Rich, creamy, and loaded with sweet butternut squash, you might catch yourself sneaking a spoonful (or five!) before it reaches the table.
This casserole is loaded with goodies like roasted butternut squash, crispy bacon, tender kale, and cheese for days. It's pretty much fall wrapped up in a baking dish, so seconds are encouraged.
Comforting soup doesn't have to feel heavy. Case in point: This velvety Instant Pot butternut squash soup made with coconut milk instead of cream, but it's still perfectly thick, rich, and spoon-worthy.
Sheet Pan Chicken with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower
Ryan Liebe
It's a simple sheet pan dinner that's ready in less than an hour! The butternut squash and cauliflower are combined on the same baking sheet, and coated in spices before roasting in the oven.
This smooth and creamy pasta sauce is made by simply blending up cooked butternut squash. It's even better when paired with fresh sage and toasted walnuts.
Make weeknights easy with this simple enchilada recipe. The combination of black beans and butternut squash makes it hearty despite being vegetarian-friendly.
Even picky eaters will love this ooey gooey mac and cheese made with butternut squash puree. There's just something about the crispy seasoned breadcrumb crust that really takes it over the top.
You’ll want to put this recipe for a simple butternut squash soup on repeat all autumn long. You can get as creative with the toppings as you like—add chopped bacon, diced apple, or a drizzle of heavy cream
You can’t go wrong with a warm stack of pancakes on a cozy autumn morning, especially when topped with maple syrup! Make it even more seasonal by using butternut squash puree in the batter.
Swap out the sweet potato for butternut squash in this seasonal harvest bowl. It will still pair perfectly with the apples, goat cheese, and Brussels sprouts.
This hearty vegetarian pot pie looks impressive, but store-bought pie crust keeps things easy. You can also look for packaged chopped and peeled butternut squash to cut down on prep time.
Crispy chicken thighs are nestled in a skillet right alongside the butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. It makes cleanup easy and gives the dish a ton of flavor.
This salad has a little bit of everything—shredded kale, goat cheese, candied nuts, and, of course, roasted butternut squash. You can also add other fall veggies if you have them laying around.