I grew up thinking the only way to eat butternut squash was to mash it with lots of butter, milk, and brown sugar. Although that’s a delicious way to enjoy it (it’s still one of my favorites!), I’ve learned there are many more possibilities when it comes to preparing the vegetable.
Here are a couple dozen butternut squash recipes, plus some basic prep (because it’s probably been a while, and helpful to have a refresh on the best way to cut and peel butternut squash) and cooking instructions — so you can make soups, salads, pastas, and even casseroles with this sweet, hearty fall vegetable.
Cozy Soups
A steaming pot of butternut squash soup is the epitome of fall comfort. What’s great is most versions freeze well, too, so you can make a double batch for the future.
1 / 6
3 / 6
6 / 6
Sides of All Kinds
No matter how it’s prepared, sweet and tender butternut squash is the ideal seasonal side dish for roast chicken, fish, and more.
2 / 7
5 / 7
Main Dishes
Of course, turning it into the main event is never a bad idea, either — especially when it’s mac and cheese, pizza, and beyond.
5 / 13
6 / 13
11 / 13
12 / 13