10 Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall

These easy butternut squash recipes are perfect for fall, from weeknight dinner ideas to meal prep to holiday meals.

It's that time of year when winter squash is everywhere. Butternut is one of my favorite fall comfort foods, creamy and a little sweet.

And there are so many ways to cook it. Butternut squash soup, from the slow cooker or the oven. Roasted with garlic and rosemary. Or with sausage and peppers in a frittata for breakfast.

If you need a weeknight soup or a side dish for Thanksgiving, here are easy ideas to try this season.

Easy Butternut Squash Recipes

These easy winter squash recipes go from a whole squash in the crock pot to a smoky maple mash, with cozy soups, simple sides, and a cold weather salad.

1

Crock Pot Butternut Squash

The whole butternut squash goes straight into the slow cooker, so there's no peeling and no chopping. Once it's soft, scoop out as much as you need for a quick side, a pot of soup, or baked goods (it even works in place of pumpkin).

I like to make one ahead and keep it in the fridge for easy sides or a fried egg breakfast, and freeze any extra as puree in one-cup portions.

Check out this recipe

2

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is creamy, with coconut milk blended in at the end. Everything goes in the crock pot and the slow cooker does all the work, so it's great for busy weekdays or a chilly weekend. Set out a few toppings, like toasted pumpkin seeds and hot sauce, and let everyone finish their own bowl.

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3

How to Roast a Whole Squash or Pumpkin

Roasting a squash whole is a no-prep way to cook it in the oven. There's no fighting with the tough skin before it goes in, and the peel comes off once it's cooked. The same method works for a pumpkin, spaghetti squash, delicata, or acorn squash, and you can use the cooked squash in soups, pies, and breads.

Check out this recipe

4

Sausage and Butternut Squash Frittata

Frittatas are one of my go-to quick and easy meals, and this one pairs savory sausage with roasted butternut squash. It's a great way to use up leftover squash from the oven or the crock pot. It's ready in about 20 minutes and works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

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5

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

This is one of my favorite soups, and it takes just three essential ingredients. Roasting the squash first gives it a caramelized flavor, and a little smoked paprika adds some smokiness. It comes out thick and rich without any flour or cream.

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6

Smoked Maple Butternut Squash

This smoky mashed squash goes with everything from roast turkey to pulled pork to grilled steak. A touch of maple syrup balances the smoke, and ghee adds a rich, buttery flavor. If you don't have a smoker, it also works with squash roasted in the oven. It's even better the next day.

Check out this recipe

7

Roasted Butternut Squash with Garlic and Rosemary

The hands-on prep takes just a few minutes, then the squash roasts on a sheet pan until it's tender and golden brown. Fresh rosemary and garlic add the flavor. Pick up pre-cut butternut in the produce section and it's even faster, an easy side for fall or the holidays.

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8

Instant Pot Butternut Squash

When you want butternut squash fast, the Instant Pot beats the oven and the slow cooker, and the squash still goes in whole. I love it mashed with ghee, sea salt, and cracked pepper. One squash usually covers a few meals for my family, so I like to make it for meal prep.

Check out this recipe

9

Easy Roasted Root Vegetables

This is a side dish I make all the time in the cooler months. Oven roasting brings out the natural sweetness in root vegetables like sweet potatoes and parsnips, and it also works with butternut squash. It cooks while you go do something else, so it's a simple, no-stress side for Thanksgiving.

Check out this recipe

10

Winter Harvest Salad

This hearty kale salad is made for fall and winter. Roasted squash gets a pinch of cinnamon, and pecans add crunch. The recipe calls for kabocha, but acorn squash or butternut work too.

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So when the weather turns cool, warm up with a comforting dish. Whether you make a soup, a side, or a frittata, these butternut squash recipes are an easy way to enjoy the flavors of the season.