How Long Should I Cook Butternut Squash

How to Roast a Butternut Squash Pinterest Collage Image

Learning How to Roast Butternut Squash is quick and easy. Delicious served as a side or tossed in and among all your favorite fall recipes, Butternut Squash is a fall must-have and an easy substitute for pumpkin. Learn how to cook acorn squash and spaghetti squash in these other easy to follow posts.

two whole butternut squash

Every year around this time I go a little butternut squash crazy. Autumn is just around the corner and this must-have fall and winter vegetable somehow manages to sneak its way onto every meal plan.

Given that the season of the squash is just around the corner, I thought I would kick it off with a back-to-the-basics post. After all, sometimes I forget that it's the how-to recipes that are most needed. Besides, with so many Butternut Squash Recipes already on this little blog of mine, I figured I should show you How to Roast Butternut Squash, too.

Roasting butternut squash is super easy and definitely worth the extra time. Similar to pumpkins in taste and texture, the butternut squash is easier to roast and puree (mostly because it's smaller). I often use the two interchangeably in recipes if I don't have one or the other in the house and don't feel like running to the market.

Reasons to Love Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is loaded with vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and magnesium.
They can be steamed, sautéed, roasted, toasted, boiled, mashed, pureed, stuffed, twice-baked…
Which means they are incredibly versatile. Delicious in sweet pies or savory stews, butternut squash is just that good.
They're easy to find! And, oftentimes, easy to plant in your very own backyard (although don't ask me about that last part yet, I'm still working on my green thumb).

New to butternut squash? Check out my post, All About Butternut Squash: How to Pick, Peel, and Prepare for Cooking

Brushing a halved butternut squash with olive oil

What You Need to Roast Butternut Squash

Butternut squash can be roasted halved, in slices or cubed. Depending on the type of recipe you plan to prepare will determine how you want to roast your squash.

In any case, in order to roast butternut squash, you will need an oven, a baking sheet (or two) or baking dish (like the one shown below), and a large sharp knife. If you plan to roast your butternut squash in small cubes then you will also need a paring knife or a high-quality vegetable peeler to slice away the tough skin from the squash.

You will also need the following ingredients:

Butternut squash
Olive oil or Butter

For added flavor, try adding one (or a few) of the following:

Salt and Black pepper
Fresh herbs (thyme or rosemary)
Brown sugar
Maple syrup
Cinnamon or Nutmeg
Cayenne powder

How to Pick the Best Butternut Squash

Much like the acorn squash and spaghetti squash, it's important to look for butternut squash that is heavy for its size. It doesn't need to be the biggest one, but one that is solid and heavy is a must. You'll often find me standing at the market picking up all the butternut squash seeing how their weight compares.

Look for squash with a nice beige-ish color. Surface scratches and imperfections are normal, but deep scratching, cuts, or soft spots are not.

Keep your butternut squash in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks until ready to cook.

Butternut squash in baking pan sprinkled with brown sugar

How to Roast Butternut Squash (Halved)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a large, sturdy knife, cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits from each half and discard (or save for roasting).
Transfer the butternut squash, cut-side up into a baking dish and brush with olive oil or melted butter, coating the entire surface of the squash.
Season with salt and pepper and brown sugar (if desired).
Roast in the oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until soft, and fork-tender.
Remove from oven and allow to cool. Scoop flesh from the skin and enjoy plain or in your favorite recipes.

Whole butternut squash halved lengthwise with the seeds scooped out and roasted until tender with butter and maple syrup.

How to Roast Butternut Squash (Cubes)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a large, sturdy knife to cut ends from the butternut squash.
Use a vegetable peeler to slice the skin from the butternut squash by holding one end of the squash with one hand and slicing with the vegetable peeler in the other.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits from each half and discard seeds (or save for roasting).
Flip each half over so that it is cut-side-down and cut the squash into slices. Depending on the size needed for the recipe being prepared, cut the slices into small half-inch to one-inch cubes and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Toss with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, if desired.
Transfer the butternut squash to a lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness.

cubes of butternut squash on a baking sheet tossed in oil and herbs

If you try cooking BUTTERNUT SQUASH, please leave me a comment and let me know! I would also love to hear your favorite way to eat butternut squash- do you enjoy it plain, with cinnamon and butter, blended in soup, or covered in sauce?

More Butternut Squash Recipes,

Butternut Squash Chia Pudding
Butternut Squash, Zucchini, and Spinach Lasagna
Easy 5 Ingredient Herb Roasted Butternut Squash with Pine Nuts
Sweet Potato + Butternut Squash Hash with Feta and Poached Egg
Spicy Thai Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Ramen with Chicken
Arugula Salad with Beluga Lentils, Butternut Squash, and Grapes
Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Shepherd's Pie
Chicken with Mushrooms and Butternut Squash
Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops with Butternut Squash

DON'T FORGET TO PIN HOW TO ROAST BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND USE IN ALL YOUR FAVORITE BUTTERNUT SQUASH RECIPES.

Roasted cubes of butternut squash on a large baking sheet in a single layer seasoned with fresh herbs.

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A close up halved roasted butternut squash that has been roasted in a white dish

How to Roast Butternut Squash

Learning How to Roast Butternut Squash is quick and easy. Delicious served as a side or tossed in and among all your favorite fall recipes, Butternut Squash is a fall must-have and an easy substitute for pumpkin.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 94 kcal

▢ 1 Butternut squash
▢ 2 teaspoon olive oil or melted butter
▢ salt + pepper (to taste)
▢ Brown sugar (if desired)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a large sturdy knife, cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits with a spoon and discard or save for later (if you're planning on roasting them).
Transfer the butternut squash, cut-side-up into a baking dish and brush with olive oil or melted butter, coating the entire surface of the squash.
Season with salt and pepper and brown sugar (if desired).
Roast in the oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until soft, and fork-tender.
Remove from oven and allow to cool. Scoop flesh from the kin and enjoy plain or in your favorite recipes.

New to butternut squash? Check out my post, All About Butternut Squash: How to Pick, Peel, and Prepare for Cooking

This recipe is for one whole butternut squash cut in half lengthwise with the skin left on and seeds scooped out. Learn how to roast cubed butternut squash in the full post.

(originally posted October 15, 2017, and updated on September 3, 2018)

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword how to peel butternut squash, how to roast butternut squash

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