20 Butternut Squash Recipes For A Comforting Meal

Roasted butternut squash is the simplest way to elevate this humble autumn harvest. The process begins with peeling and cubing the squash. A generous drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of pepper are then added during the roast to transform these golden nuggets into bite-sized delights.

As they roast in the oven, magic happens. The natural sugars caramelize, creating a perfect balance between sweetness and a subtle, earthy richness. The edges crisp up, providing a delightful textural contrast to the soft interior. Fragrant herbs, perhaps a hint of rosemary or thyme are added for aroma.

Who doesn't like a good soup on a chilly evening by the fire? What this recipe does better than other types of soup is allow the natural flavors of butternut squash to shine through. The roasted squash is blended to form a smooth velvety soup.

Since the ingredients are simple with some onions, carrots, and broth, the flavors of the squash take center stage which distinguishes it from other recipes.

Stuffed squash is an elevated way of presenting seasonal harvest. The squash is first hollowed out to create a natural vessel ready to be filled with quinoa. The quinoa is cooked separately with some sauteed vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Once cooked, it is stuffed into the squash vessel to present it in a visually appealing manner. As beautiful as it looks, the dish is also extremely nutritious. As a result, it caters to both palate and health-conscious cravings.

Traditional gnocchi are made with potatoes but in this case, the dough is infused with pureed butternut squash. When cooked with brown butter sauce and fried sage leaves, it transforms the humble dish into a rustic sophisticated experience.

As you savor each bite, the richness of the brown butter, the earthiness of the sage, and the sweetness of the squash come together to create an autumnal symphony. This dish is a seasonal ode to culinary indulgence. You can also opt for other gnocchi recipes if you're feeling particularly more adventurous.

Risotto is a traditional Italian dish made with creamy Arborio rice. The addition of butternut squash to this recipe makes this dish sweeter and even more elevated. As the rice absorbs warm broth, it is filled with the flavors of onions, garlic, and white wine. Finally, we add in the butternut squash to make it even more velvety.

Butternut Squash Risotto is more than just a dish, it is a way to savor the richness of the season with fresh ingredients.

This dish is an elevated version of the humble chickpea and butternut squash. It is a vegetarian dish which is so flavorful that you won't even miss the meat. You start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger in aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Then, introduce chunks of roasted butternut squash and hearty chickpeas to the party, letting them soak up the rich, coconut milk-based curry sauce.

Serve this with a side of fluffy basmati rice or warm naan and you have for yourself a dish that transports you to the heart of Indian cuisine.

This one is for dinners where you're looking to impress your guests. It is a visually stunning dish with a butternut squash mush complemented by the slightly salty feta and a flaky golden puff pastry. This is every savory lover's dream.

The star of this show is the butternut squash which is roasted to perfection before adding it into the puff pastry to make a savory filling. The feta cheese is added on top with some crunchy sage leaves.

We have pretty much become a land of salads. There are many salad recipes to choose from but we assure you that this Roasted Squash Salad deserves to be in your dinner rotation. Picture this: tender chunks of butternut or delicata squash, roasted until caramelized, mingling with vibrant greens and an array of complementary ingredients.

This dish is as comforting as it is nutritious. As a feasible option for both vegetarians as well as vegans, this proves that natural flavors of fresh ingredients are enough. 

The process of slow cooking is a time-consuming but extremely easy way of preparing food. Even though it does take some time, you actually have a lot of hands-off time because the slow cooker does most of the work for you. The slow cooking also ensures that the flavors meld perfectly and intensify throughout the cooking process.

Along with the butternut squash, vibrant veggies like carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and some spinach are also added to the stew.

If you're a fan of Potatoes Au Gratin recipes, this is right up your alley. The humble squash is mixed with cream, cheese, and savory herbs to make the filling. On top of that lies a generous shower of cheese which forms a golden bubbly crust.

Like with all au gratin recipes, the magic lies in the contrasting textures. The inside is a smooth velvety filling complemented by the crunchy outside. Even though it is often consumed as a side dish, it also works as the main dish on the table.

In the sea of cornbread recipes, butternut squash cornbread has a different path carved of itself. Known for bringing a slight sweetness to the otherwise mildly flavored bread, this recipe can easily be made vegan. This further adds to its appeal.

Serve a slice alongside a bowl of hearty soup or stew, and you're transported to a rustic kitchen with the true essence of fall. This dish embodies the spirit of the season as it is equivalent to a cozy sweater.

This is yet another popular butternut squash recipe. A frittata is a perfect way to enjoy seasonal flavors so it makes sense that it would work well with butternut squash. To complement the flavors of this plant, fresh sage leaves are also added to the mix.

To make this dish, start by roasting cubes of golden butternut squash along with some fresh sage leaves. Pour a luscious mixture of whisked eggs seasoned with salt and pepper over the roasted squash and sage and let the heat do its thing.

Roasted Butternut Squash Noodles are a gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta. Vibrant, spiralized strands of butternut squash serve the function of pasta noodles. These are roasted initially so that they achieve a tender yet slightly crunchy texture.

Once the noodles are ready, you can choose your pick from a list of pasta sauces so that it appeals to your palate. Finally, you're ready to serve your butternut squash noodles that are healthy, nourishing as well as delicious.

Ravioli are pasta pockets with a filling that complements the flavors of the sauce outside. In this case, the filling is made with butternut squash seasoned with autumn spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

The process of crafting butternut squash ravioli is a labor of love. Tender pasta sheets envelop the luscious filling, creating little treasures waiting to be discovered. Once cooked, they emerge from the pot and each raviolo represents a culinary craftsmanship.

If you're a fan of Italian cuisine and are looking for a way to enjoy Italian dishes like lasagna as a vegetarian, look no further than this recipe of butternut squash and spinach lasagna.

Inside the sheets of pasta lies a velvety butternut squash puree sauteed spinach and a rich béchamel sauce. This dish is a celebration in its true form without the need for meats. As you take a bite, you'll realize how there is love and creativity in each layer that tastes perfect together.

Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is a plant-powered twist on the classic comfort food. In addition to the butternut squash, other ingredients also add to the flavor profile of the dish. The nutritional yeast steps in for that cheesy flavor while seasonings like garlic, onion powder, and a pinch of turmeric give it flavor.

The result is a bowl of indulgence that's cruelty-free and also packs a nutritional punch. Bake it with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for a crispy top, and you've achieved vegan mac and cheese perfection.

Maple Roasted Squash is for those who love a flavor kick in their meals. In this dish, the butternut squash and Brussels sprouts are coated in a luscious maple glaze that caramelizes in the oven. 

The butternut squash has a natural sweetness that works well with the earthy charm of Brussels sprouts. This dish ensures that both butternut squash and Brussels sprouts stand on their own. Like many other Brussels sprouts recipes, the main aim is to introduce flavor to the dish because both the ingredients are known to have mild natural flavor.

A butternut squash is a great choice for a dip because it has a smooth velvety inside with natural sweetness. To introduce other flavors into the dip, lemon juice is added to the squash. To further season the dish, you can add some jalapenos, capers, and even a hint of mint. 

It is perfect for gatherings with warm crusty bread, crispy pita chips, or other fresh veggies. Finish if off with crispy sage to add a touch of sophistication.

This vegetarian take is a feasible way of enjoying Mexican flavors for people following a particular diet. The black beans provide protein while the butternut squash brings the sweetness and creamy texture. The tortillas, soaked in a vibrant sauce, become a perfect vehicle for delivering this to our taste buds.

To top if all off, sprinkle some cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a scattering of fresh cilantro.

The last recipe on this list is yet another soup because we can't get enough of butternut squash as a comfort food. In this case, the soup has a supporting player, the apples. The tartness of crispy apples complements the natural sweetness of the squash. It also ensures that the seasonal ingredients are presented.

To flavor the soup, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are added which complement both the squash as well as the apples and keep the holiday theme alive.