Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (2024)

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My roasted acorn squash recipe is sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s night! Roasted in the oven with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, it’s a yummy side dish option!

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Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (1)

Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to make roasted vegetables! As soon as the temperatures start to drop, I immediately start craving winter squash in particular.

I like to pair acorn squash with brown sugar and cinnamon to really highlight the sweetness. It’s a wonderful side dish that only takes about 5 minutes to prep. You’ll have to have a bit of patience as it roasts (it can take up to 50 minutes) but I promise it’s worth the wait!

My roasted acorn squash recipe is hearty and tasty and adds so much to a fall or winter meal!

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How to Make this Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each squash in half and remove the seeds using a melon baller or a spoon.

I tend to prefer the melon baller as it can cut into the seeds more easily. Place the squash cut side up on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

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STEP TWO: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to combine, then brush onto the cut side of the squash until there is no butter mixture remaining.

Don’t stress if a pool of butter forms — it’s supposed to be like that. Add a pinch of salt.

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STEP THREE: Roast the acorn squash for 40-50 minutes. You can check for doneness with a fork — the interior should be easy to pierce.

STEP FOUR: Remove the roasted acorn squash from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before eating.

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What to Serve with this Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Lamb Chops
  • Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken
  • Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
  • Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese
  • Air Fryer Rice
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
  • Cornbread Stuffing

Variations for This Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

  • Use butter, honey, or Parmesan cheese instead of brown sugar and cinnamon.
  • Make it savory instead. I like the idea of combining olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper instead of the sweet stuff. You can even add a bit of shredded cheese at the end of the cooking time for a cheesy topping!
  • Add chopped pecans on top before roasting for added flavor and crunch.
  • Make it a really fall-themed meal by using pumpkin spice and honey instead of cinnamon.
Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (6)

Chef’s Tip for Keeping Your Acorn Squash Level

There is an easy trick I love using to keep the acorn squash steady.

Before placing the butter mixture onto the acorn squash, turn the acorn squash sideways on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut just half an inch off the bottom half of the squash.

Be careful not to cut much more than half an inch to avoid cutting a hole into the squash. When you place the acorn squash onto a baking sheet, it will sit flat!

How Long Does it Take to Cook an Acorn Squash?

Like most roasted squash recipes, it takes between 40-50 minutes to roast. Yes, it does require some patience.

I recommend popping it in the oven first and then starting on your main dish. You won’t even notice the time flying by — I’m sure of it!

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Do You Eat the Skin on Roasted Acorn Squash?

You can if you want — acorn squash skin is completely edible when roasted. It all comes down to preference. I personally skip the skins and eat the flesh of the squash.

As a note, the seeds are also edible when roasted! Treat them like pumpkin seeds and roast them in your oven or your air fryer.

Do You Need to Peel Squash Before Roasting?

It’s not necessary for my roasted acorn squash recipe, as I typically just end up removing the flesh of the squash from the skin after it’s done roasting.

It really depends on how you plan on eating your squash, but you can be sure that you won’t have to add that extra step when you follow my recipe.

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More Squash Recipes

  • Mac and Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Air Fryer Acorn Squash
  • Fried Butternut Squash
  • Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini
  • Acorn Squash Slices with Maple Syrup
  • 5 Ingredient Squash Casserole
  • Air Fryer Butternut Squash
  • Air Fryer Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (9)

Yield: 4 servings

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (10)

A delicious and easy winter side dish that will sweeten up your table.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • small pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Halve the acorn squashes and remove pulp and seeds.
  2. Mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet cut side up.
  4. Baste the butter mixture onto acorn squash (there will be a puddle inside the acorn squash).
  5. Sprinkle a small pinch of salt on top of the acorn squash.
  6. Roast the acorn squash for 40-50 minutes until a fork is able to pierce through it easily.
  7. Remove from the oven, let sit for 2 minutes, then enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 130Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe | Everyday Family Cooking (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to bake acorn squash at 350? ›

1. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a baking dish. 2. Bake in a 350°F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.

Does acorn squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

Good news: you don't need to peel acorn squash. Its hard, grooved skin softens significantly as it cooks, and it's edible, too. If you do want to remove the skin, wait until after you cook it, at which point it will peel right off.

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.

What temperature do you cook squash in the oven? ›

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.

Is it OK to eat raw acorn squash? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

How do you cut acorn squash too hard? ›

The first and most important thing to have on-hand is a very sharp chef's knife or a longer, thick utility knife. Lay the squash on it's side. Raise a knife 3-4 inches above the squash and give it a little chop to break into it. Using your other hand, press down on the top of the blade and slice all the way through.

Why is my roasted squash mushy? ›

Don't overcrowd the pan: When roasting or sautéing butternut squash, make sure that you don't overcrowd the pan. If the pan is too crowded, the squash will steam rather than roast or sauté, which can cause it to become mushy.

Is it better to bake or roast vegetables? ›

When making foods that have a solid structure (vegetables or meats), you should roast the food. If you're making foods that aren't solid before cooking (cake, bread, etc), you should bake the food. While both methods use dry heat, the process and the temperatures can vary due to the structure of the food.

Do you eat the skin on roasted squash? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

How long do you keep squash in the oven? ›

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the squash on a sheet pan and drizzle with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the squash is tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

What temperature do you put squash on? ›

Your large butternut squash halves should be perfectly baked after about 90 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. If you're using a small or medium squash, adjust the bake time.

How do you know when squash is done in the oven? ›

The squash is done when tender.

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands.

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