Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 28, 2020, Updated Mar 16, 2024

5 from 12 votes

4 Comments

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This roasted butternut squash recipe is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 6 ingredients! Baked butternut squash is slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – a perfect holiday side dish!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2)

This roasted butternut squash is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients! It’s slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – making it the perfect addition to any holiday meal.

Plus, this roasted butternut squash is easy to make with only 6 ingredients in 30 minutes, and it’s gluten-free!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (3)

Roasted Butternut Squash: Ingredients & Substitutions

Ilove every flavor in this baked butternut squash recipe, so I recommend making it as-written for the best results. However, here are a few notes on some possible substitutions.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (4)
  • Butternut Squash.I recommend using fresh butternut squash to make this recipe! You can save time (peeling/chopping) and purchase pre-cut fresh squash in the produce department of most grocery stores.
  • Butter/Olive oil.I love the butter/olive oil combo for flavor. You need 2 TBS total of fat, you can use all butter, all olive oil or substitute canola or avocado oil!
  • Cinnamon.Choose high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. You can also add a dash of nutmeg.
  • Maple Syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, however I recommend using syrup for the best flavor.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (5)

How to Peel & Cut a Butternut Squash

Since I recommend using a fresh squash for this roasted butternut squash recipe, I thought it’d be helpful to show you how to peel and cut a squash!

Cut off Ends

begin by cutting off the ends. This makes it easier to set the squash flat to remove the skin.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (6)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (7)

Remove the skin

Next, use a knife or a very sharp/heavy-duty peeler to remove the skin from the butternut squash. Admittedly, this is my least favorite part that requires the most work. I find using a knife is the easiest, unless you have a pretty serious vegetable peeler!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (8)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (9)

Remove Seeds & Dice

Next, cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds using an ice cream scoop or metal spoon. Then, cut each half into long strips then cubes.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (10)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (11)

Use in the Recipe

Now you can use the prepared squash in this roasted butternut squash recipe, or use it in other recipes like this butternut squash soup, butternut squash mac and cheese, etc.

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How to Roast Butternut Squash

Once the butternut squash is peeled and diced, it’s time to make this roasted butternut squash recipe! It’s really easy to make, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by adding the the melted butter and olive oil to the cubed squash and stir until all the pieces are evenly coated.

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Next, add the cinnamon and sea salt and stir to combine.

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Spread oiled and seasoned squash cubes in a single even layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Keep in mind, the size of the squash cubes will effect the roasting time. Smaller cubes roast faster.

Once the squash just starts to brown and is soft, drizzle maple syrup over the squash and stir until it’s evenly distributed.

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Roast for another 10-15 minutes or until the squash is golden-brown and soft.

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Serve

Serve the roasted butternut squash warm, fresh from the oven. To dress it up a little you can add chopped fresh herbs (I recommend rosemary or parsley), pomegranate seeds, etc.

This baked butternut squash makes a great companion for other delicious fall foods:

  • Serve it in fall salads. Put this roasted butternut squash in this Brussel Sprout Salad, or any green salad dressed with this pomegranate vinaigrette.
  • Serve it on top of this butternut squash soup for added texture and flavor.
  • Alongside other delicious side dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts, the BEST cornbread, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, etc.
  • To accompany yummy mains like this balsamic slow cooker pot roast!
  • Serve it as a Thanksgiving or holiday side dish alongside this Roast Turkey and the best Turkey Gravy!
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Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat

There are two ways to reheat this baked butternut squash:

  1. In the microwave.heat for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. The squash won’t be as crispy as it was fresh from the oven, but it still tastes great.
  2. In the oven.Re-crisp and reheat the cinnamon butternut squash in the oven set to 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (18)

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe FAQs

What flavors go well with butternut squash?

Butternut squash tastes amazing with fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, ginger, etc. Also with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley etc.

Should I peel butternut squash before roasting?

Peeling and dicing the butternut squash before roasting makes it cook faster. And for roasted butternut squash I definitely recommend it.

What months is butternut squash in season?

The best time to buy butternut squash is early fall through the winter (October through February).

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (19)

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (20)

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (21)

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Laura

This roasted butternut squash recipe is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients! Baked butternut squash is slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – a perfect holiday side dish!

5 from 12 votes

Course Side Dish, vegetables

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 94

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time35 minutes minutes

Total Time45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet, set aside.

  • Peel, deseed and dice a butternut squash, cutting it into about 1” cubes.

  • Place butternut squash cubes in a large bowl.

  • Drizzle melted butter and olive oil over the butternut squash, stir until squash cubes are evenly coated.

  • Sprinkle cinnamon and sea salt over the squash, stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.

  • Spread oiled and seasoned squash cubes in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

  • After 20 minutes, or once the squash just starts to brown and is soft, drizzle maple syrup over the squash and stir until it’s evenly distributed.

  • Roast for another 10-15 minutes or until the squash is golden-brown and soft.

  • Serve warm with (optional) chopped fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitution Notes

  • Butternut Squash.I recommend using fresh butternut squash to make this recipe! You can save time (peeling/chopping) and purchase pre-cut fresh squash in the produce department of most grocery stores.
  • Butter/Olive oil.I love the butter/olive oil combo for flavor. You need 2 TBS total of fat, you can use all butter, all olive oil or substitute canola or avocado oil!
  • Cinnamon.Choose high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. You can also add a dash of nutmeg.
  • Maple Syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, however I recommend using syrup for the best flavor.

Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat

  1. In the microwave.heat for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. The squash won’t be as crispy as it was fresh from the oven, but it still tastes great.
  2. In the oven.Re-crisp and reheat the cinnamon butternut squash in the oven set to 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 12099IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting? ›

While butternut squash skin is edible and it can even turn nice and crisp when roasted, many people prefer to peel it first so it's easier to eat. Butternut squash skin is smooth and thin and the best way to peel it is by using a sharp vegetable peeler.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? He first tosses the butternut squash in oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper and then cooks it in the oven at 400°F for about 25 minutes.

How to roast butternut squash in Jamie Oliver? ›

Place the squash in one layer in a roasting tray and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the seeds, cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the skin of the squash is soft, then remove the foil and cook for another 10 minutes until the squash is golden and crisp.

Why is my roasted butternut squash mushy? ›

Squashes behave very differently when cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Generally, a squash that is roasted in the oven is going to have a much softer texture, one that can get mushy if mixed with other ingredients, but making it ideal for a purée, soup, or being mashed.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Food Safety and Storage

Scrub winter squash with a vegetable brush under cool running water before cooking or cutting. Do not use soap. Do not wash squash before storing. Keep squash away from raw meat and meat juices to prevent cross-contamination.

Why is my butternut squash turning brown when I cook it? ›

Cook at 400 degrees — hot — until the squash releases its juices and they are bubbly and brown around the edges. This is a sign that the sugars in the squash have caramelized and its flavor concentrated.

How does Rachael Ray cook butternut squash? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and drizzle with EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and fresh nutmeg and roast until just tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Do you cook butternut squash cut side up or down? ›

Place squash, cut-sides down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour 2 cups water into the dish around the squash halves. Bake in the preheated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water as needed.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

What season is best for butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

Is there a difference between roasting and baking squash? ›

Most recipes say to either bake or roast butternut squash—but what's the difference? While both cooking methods will turn the tough, raw gourd into a soft, sweet ingredient, roasting butternut squash is the more common process for achieving browned, crispy edges and a creamy interior.

How to know when butternut squash is done roasting? ›

Butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes, should be perfectly roasted after about 25 to 35 minutes in an oven heated to 400 degrees F. When it's done, the squash should be lightly browned and easily pierced with a fork.

Why does my butternut squash taste weird? ›

The most likely cause for a bitter taste in squash is due to an environmental stress of some sort, most likely a wide temperature flux or irregular irrigation. Either of these will create an excess of cucurbitacins to concentrate in the fruit.

Why do my fingers feel weird after cutting butternut squash? ›

The liquid is so strong that it can harden into protective scab if the squash becomes cut or damaged—much like a tree. This sap has the same effect on skin, it creates a tough film that can feel stiff, or even itchy.

Can you cook butternut squash with the skin on? ›

Butternut squash is delicious and packed with vitamins. Choose firm squash that feel heavy for their size. You don't even need to remove the skin; just make sure you wash it well as it goes soft when cooking.

Should squash be peeled before cooking? ›

Some squash skin is edible, while other types of squash have tough skin that can be removed before cooking. Remove the skin of butternut, hubbard, buttercup, and turban squash. If you enjoy the taste, leave the skin on acorn, spaghetti, kabocha, and zucchini squash.

Is there a trick to peeling butternut squash? ›

By the way, it helps to microwave a butternut squash (whole) for 30 seconds or so first, before peeling. This will help soften the peel just enough to make it a bit easier to peel.

Does butternut squash need to be ripe before cooking? ›

And the good news is that you don't even have to cut into a butternut squash to tell if it's ready to eat or not. You can tell if your butternut squash is ripe by the color and texture of the outer rind. If there are any green spots, it's definitely not ready to cook.

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