Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash – crispy and caramelized on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside – is the perfect healthy alternative to potatoes.

Roasted butternut squash is the perfect healthy alternative to potatoes and sweet potatoes. Even though it’s not as starchy as potatoes, when baked in olive oil it’s just wonderful – crispy and caramelized on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside.

This is one of my favorite side dishes to make this time of year (mashed butternut squash is another good one). It’s the best kind of comfort food – homemade, delicious, and nutritious.

The ingredients you’ll need

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish (the exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below):

1. Cubed butternut squash: I make life easy for myself and buy it already cubed from Whole Foods. I believe most supermarkets offer it too.
2. Olive oil: Olive oil is delicious. But if you’re worried about its smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.
3. Kosher salt: If using fine salt instead, you might want to reduce the amount you use.
4. Spices: Garlic powder and chili powder. Make sure they are fresh!

How to roast butternut squash

It’s easy! I use pre-cut butternut squash cubes that are available at Whole Foods and at my local supermarket. I toss the cubes with olive oil and seasonings, then roast in a hot oven until beautifully crispy. The detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:

1. Toss the squash cubes with oil and spices.
2. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
3. Roast until browned and tender, about 30 minutes at 425°F, gently stirring midway through roasting.

More ways you can season the squash

In this recipe, olive oil, garlic, and chili powder combine to create a wonderfully intense flavor experience. Another option is to use butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan. But the recipe below is the one I use most often.

Some people like to use brown sugar or maple syrup. Personally, I’m not a big fan of sweet-tasting side dishes – I prefer to save my sweet-tasting foods for dessert!

But if you’d like to give it a try, simply drizzle the squash with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, then bake.

How long does it take to roast butternut squash cubes?

Not very long! That’s the beauty of using cubes rather than roasting a whole squash. In a 425°F oven, it only takes about 30 minutes.

Can you eat the skin?

As it turns out, it’s fine to eat the skin, especially if you use petite butternut. It’s not so much a question of safety as a question of texture. If not roasted long enough, the skin could be tough and unpalatable.

As I said before, I buy pre-cut squash cubes. These do not come with the skin. But if you buy a whole squash and cut it yourself, it’s up to you whether to leave the skin on or peel it.

What about leftovers?

You can keep leftover roasted butternut squash in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3 days.

The leftovers are good when gently reheated in the microwave on 50% power. They are also surprisingly good when eaten cold straight out of the fridge!

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4.96 from 131 votes

Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash – crispy and caramelized on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside – is the perfect healthy alternative to potatoes.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butternut squash

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 89kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon fine salt)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chili powder

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the butternut squash cubes in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and use your hands to mix it into the squash cubes.
• Add the salt, garlic powder and chili powder. Mix well.
• Arrange the coated butternut squash cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes. Gently stir, then continue roasting until tender, 10-15 more minutes. 
• Serve the roasted butternut squash immediately. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave before serving.  

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NUTRITION INFO Nutrition info is approximate and may contain errors. It is calculated using the SparkPeople.com recipe calculator, and the carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Please feel free to make your own calculations. Please read the disclaimers in our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Please verify they are before using.

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Butternut Squash

Amount Per Serving

Calories 89 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Sodium 200mg9%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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