How to roast any squash to taste AMAZING!!

Squash is my very favorite part of fall. Aside from the abundance of apples we have where we live, squash takes up the majority of my counter from about September through the first part of winter.

How to roast any squash to taste AMAZING!!

I did not grow up eating squash. In fact, the very first time I ever tasted it was when I made it in a season of baby food-making. I was rather intimidated at the thought of roasting a squash, but the thought intrigued me. After a couple of attempts at steaming the squash for my baby at the time, I decided to flip on the oven and give it a go at roasting. I have never turned back. Learning how to roast squash was a squash game-changer.

How to Roast any Squash and make it taste amazing!!

When you roast a squash just right, the natural sweetness shines through, and thanks to the heat the natural sugars almost caramelize the squash. The result is amazing flavor that even the pickiest of veggie eaters will devour.

I’m not one to separate “kid food” from adult food, but roasted squash would definitely be one to label “kid friendly.” If you have a hesitant veggie eater, I am willing to bet that a butter-smothered butternut would for sure be inhaled.

Take any of these roasted squashes and add them to a saute of onions and garlic in butter with some bone broth and puree and you will have a beautiful nutrient dense soup, like this roasted butternut squash & apple soup or roasted pumpkin soup!

How to Roast Any Squash and Make it Taste Amazing!

How to Roast Any Squash

Acorn Squash

My very favorite of all the squashes, acorn squash is mildly sweet and buttery. It has a texture similar to pumpkin, and once roasted it can be completely pureed smooth, or just mashed with a fork. They are a bit smaller in size so I typically roast 2 acorn squashes at the same time to feed my family of 5.

How to Roast It

1. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.

2. Smear butter over the flesh and sprinkle sea salt and pepper.

3. Roast flesh up on a baking sheet at 425F degrees for 1 hour.

How to Dress It Up

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup to the center of each squash in addition to the butter and seasoning. Roast according to the directions above.

How to roast any squash to taste amazing!!

Spaghetti Squash

I remember being so skeptical that the “noodles” from a spaghetti squash would feel like having spaghetti – but it really does! Spaghetti squash makes a great swap for grainy carbohydrates if that is something you need to watch – and even if grains are a part of your diet it is a good thing to rotate your food and give the gut a grain break every now and again! Spaghetti squash is extremely mild in flavor so you really can dress it up however you would regular noodles – even use it on spaghetti night with red sauce!

How to Roast It

1. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.

2. Smear butter over the flesh and sprinkle sea salt and pepper.

3. Roast flesh up on a baking sheet at 425F degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes – if your spaghetti squash is rather large you may need to go a bit longer.

How to Dress It Up

Garlic Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Add a chopped or minced garlic clove or two to the center of each squash – it tastes and feels like an indulgent Italian buttered pasta dish from a restaurant!

How to Roast Any Squash to taste Amazing!!!

Butternut Squash

Probably the most popular of squashes because of its beautiful color and amazing buttery sweet flavor! After your butternut is roasted you can either puree it until smooth like mashed potatoes, or just mash it with a fork – my girls scoop it right out of the skin!

How to Roast It Whole

1. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.

2. Smear butter over the flesh and sprinkle sea salt and pepper.

3. Roast the squash flesh-up on a baking sheet at 425F degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes – if your butternut squash was rather large you may need to roast it a bit longer.

How to Roast It Cubed

Butternut squash is the easiest to cube because the skin is easy to peel – acorn squashes, for example are difficult to peel because of all the ridges. Roasting cubed squash may help for those that have sensitive texture issues with “mashed” foods,  as you can let your squash have a little “bite” to it if you want. Also, when you roast cubed squash the sides all get caramelized – and tastes really good!

1. Peel the skin, then cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds.

2. Cube the squash and toss onto a baking sheet with melted butter, sea salt, and pepper.

3. Roast at 425F degrees for 45 minutes – you can go less time if you want more “bite” to your squash.

How to Dress It Up

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash

Add local honey to the center of each squash (if roasting whole) or toss with honey along with the butter (if roasting cubed). You can also make roasted butternut soup.

How to Roast Any Squash to taste AMAZING!!!

Pumpkin

While pumpkin certainly has its place in the dessert world, my very favorite way to eat pumpkin is actually savory. Just roasted with butter and sea salt – it is simply amazing – I hope you will try it!

How to Roast It

1. Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds.

2. Smear butter over the flesh and sprinkle sea salt and pepper.

3. Roast flesh up on a baking sheet at 425F degrees for 1 hour.

How to Dress It Up

Cinnamon Spice Pumpkin

Sprinkle cinnamon over the flesh after you butter and season it. I also love using all spice or clove. Use whatever warm spices of the season you love, including nutmeg or ginger. You can also make roasted pumpkin soup.

How to roast any squash to taste AMAZING!!!

Roasting Squash is an easy way to make seasonal real food taste amazing without extra time spent in the kitchen.

How to Roast Any Squash and Make it Taste Amazing!

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5 Comments

  1. What a great summary, thank you so much!! We have an abundance of squashes from our CSA and I wanted just a simple approach to cooking them all!

    Question – any suggestions on reheating? I work full time and don’t have ~hour to make dinner when I get home, but I could roast them after my daughter is in bed for the next day. Could I partially roast and then finish in the oven or in a pan the next day?