80 Winter Squash Recipes to Make from Now Until Spring
While we love chopping up a winter squash, tossing it in olive oil and roasting it in the oven, there are so many more inspiring ways to prepare it. Whether you prefer butternut, kabocha, delicata or another gourd, here are 80 winter squash recipes to make from now until spring, whether you’re in the mood for lighter fare, like roasted squash salad bowls, or straight-up comfort food (bring on the mac and cheese).
RELATED: Here’s How to Cut a Butternut Squash Without Hurting Yourself
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Caramelized Butternut Squash Upside-Down Cake
New Thanksgiving tradition? We think so.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Aran Goyoaga
2. Roasted Winter Vegetable Platter with Miso Aioli and Romesco Sauce
Nothing against raw veggies, but there’s something cozy and satisfying about a roasted crudités plate.
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
3. Butternut Squash Risotto with Crispy Leeks
Risotto never fails to put us in a good mood, but this fall-ified version takes the cake.
Esteban Castillo/Chicano Eats
4. Chorizo-Spiced Delicata Squash Tortas
A vegetarian sandwich that can be made ahead? Count us in.
Aran Goyoaga/Canelle et Vanille
5. Roasted Squash Salad with White Beans, Bread Crumbs and Preserved Lemon
If the squash’s skin is thin, you don’t even need to peel it.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott/Nothing Fancy
6. Alison Roman’s Roasted Squash with Yogurt and Spiced Buttered Pistachios
We’re absolutely living for that lemon-yogurt sauce.
Laura Edwards/From the Oven to the Table
7. Roasted Squash and Tofu with Soy, Honey, Chili and Ginger
Don’t skip pressing the tofu—it’s the best way to get crispy results.
Photo: Michael Marquand/Styling: Nisha Vora
8. Instant Pot Spicy Thai Butternut Squash Soup
Oh hey, 30-minute dinner (or lunch).
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Heath Goldman
9. Delicata Squash Rings with Garlic-Lemon Sauce
Sorry, onion rings. We’ve found a new favorite appetizer. (Psst: The sauce starts with store-bough mayo.)
Skinnytaste One and Done
10. Dijon-Maple Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Just toss everything on a sheet tray and straight into the oven for an easy autumnal dinner.
Let’s Stay In
11. Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
FYI, delicata squash skin is totally edible, so skip the tedious task of peeling.
Ellen Silverman/Everyday Dorie
12. Dorie Greenspan’s Roasted Acorn Squash Wedges
A pomegranate molasses glaze gives these cuties alllll the sweet and sour flavor.
Cook Beautiful
13. Delicata Squash Agrodolce
Agrodolce is Italian for “sour and sweet,” and this vinegar-honey glazed squash is no exception.
Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook
14. Yotam Ottolenghi's Roasted Butternut Squash with Lentils and Gorgonzola
You can serve it warm—so the cheese gets deliciously melty—or at room temp.
David Loftus/Now & Again
15. Julia Turshen’s Radicchio and Roasted Squash Salad
Bitter lettuce and sweet squash is a match made in side-dish heaven.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
16. Pizza with Butternut Squash
Tomatoes need not apply. (Yeah, we went there.)
Weeknight Society
17. Bulgur with Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage and Goat Cheese
It’s flavorful, warming and easy to prep—everything we want in a weeknight meal.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
18. Hearty Stuffed Butternut Squash
Aren’t you fancy? (Looks can be deceiving. These are so easy to make.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
19. Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Mushroom Marinara Sauce
Carbs? We don’t know them.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
20. Dairy-Free Butternut Squash ‘Fondue’
It’s just as smooth, tangy and dippable as the O.G. version., just minus the cheese and butter.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
We like to call this one “make-ahead magic,” since it’s even better the next day.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
22. Hasselback Butternut Squash
Hasselback potatoes are fine and all, but squash takes things to the next level.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
23. Macaroni and Cheese in Acorn Squash Bowls
We found love in a bowl-less place.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
24. Butternut Squash Carbonara
No one will know it’s packed with hidden veggies, even your picky kids.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
25. Spiralized Winter Vegetable Gratin
It’s like a healthy-ish version of potatoes au gratin. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of cheese.
Chloe Flavor
26. Vegan Butternut Mac and ‘Cheese' with Smoky Shiitake ‘Bacon'
This dish, however, contains no fromage at all. Squash is versatile like that.
Weeknight Society
27. Sage-Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash
Instead of arborio rice, this dish uses barley. It’s quick-cooking and full of protein, a double whammy.
Half Baked Harvest
28. Honey Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Burrata and Pomegranate
You had us at “honey butter,” and again at “burrata.”
The Full Helping
29. Lima Bean Butternut Succotash
Serve it will a loaf of crusty bread for maximum effect.
Foodie Crush
30. Harvest Squash and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
It’s as cozy and delightful as your warmest fall sweater.
Healthfully Ever After
31. Savory Butternut Squash Garlic Swirl Rolls
This might be even better than a cinnamon roll, and that’s saying a lot.
Chocolate for Basil
32. Shredded Butternut Squash Pot Pies
The crust is made from masa harina, a type of flour made from corn kernels. (Read: It’s extra flavorful.)
Feed Me Phoebe
33. Baked Butternut Squash Fries with Sage and Anchovy Aioli
You won’t find fries like these in the frozen aisle.
Damn Delicious
34. One-Pan Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts
The fewer the pans, the better the dinner.
Pinch of Yum
35. Kabocha Squash Lentil Curry
Kabocha squash, also known as Japanese pumpkin, is extra sweet and creamy, so good luck saving any leftovers from this dish.
Spoon Fork Bacon
36. Vegan Baked Spaghetti Squash with Pumpkin and Green Onion Alfredo
We can’t believe it’s not dairy. (The secret is cashew cream.)
Snixy Kitchen
37. Roasted Squash with Burrata, Spicy Hazelnuts and Maple Vinaigrette
The spicy-sweet hazelnuts are just the cherry on top.
A House in the Hills
38. Kabocha Squash Shakshuka
Brunch, dinner or brinner, this will always be a hit.
The Modern Proper
39. Butternut Squash Quesadilla with Caramelized Onion
Not today, chicken.
What’s Gaby Cooking
40. Wild Mushroom Roasted Squash Pizza
Even your favorite takeout place doesn’t have this on the menu.
Half Baked Harvest
41. Sheet Pan Sticky Pomegranate Chicken and Honey-Roasted Squash
It sounds like a lot of work…but it’s ready in 40 minutes.
What’s Cooking Good Looking
42. Savory Oatmeal with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage and Walnut Pesto
Yes, you can and should eat squash for breakfast.
Salt and Wind
43. Butternut Squash Parmesan
You’ve heard of chicken Parm and eggplant Parm, but what about squash Parm?
Ambitious Kitchen
44. Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet
Don’t forget the tortilla chips for serving.
Cookie and Kate
45. Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
This would fit right in on your Thanksgiving table.
Foodie Crush
46. Vegetable Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Shiitake Mushrooms
There are two types of cheese hidden among those layers.
Butter Be Ready
47. Brown Butter Butternut Squash Pasta with Pancetta
All our favorite fall flavors got together in one bowl.
Salt and Wind
48. Coconut Miso Butternut Squash Soup
It has a little bit of everything: creamy, spicy, salty, sweet.
Minimalist Baker
49. Roasted Squash, Pecan and Pomegranate Salad
Save the plain old lettuce salad for another day.
Healthy Nibbles and Bits
50. Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Magically, the squash makes this cheesy dish even more decadent.
I Am a Food Blog
51. Pan-Roasted Honeynut Squash with Creamy Garlicky Pasta
Never heard of honeynut? It’s like the sweeter and more tender tiny cousin of butternut squash (and the star of this dish).
Plays Well with Butter
52. Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Harvest Veggies
Meal-prep and make-ahead friendly? Yes, please.
Minimalist Baker
53. Creamy Fall Soup in Acorn Squash Bowls
Best of all, you don’t have to wash the bowls.
Feed Me Phoebe
54. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyère and Pistachios
This beats sour cream and onion dip any day.
Grandbaby Cakes
55. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Homemade Pasta
Homemade pasta only sounds difficult to make. It’s actually pretty easy (and calls for just two ingredients).
Healthy Nibbles and Bits
56. Harissa Roasted Cauliflower with Delicata Squash and Chickpeas
We love the combination of spicy harissa and sweet squash.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
57. Spaghetti Squash Fritters
They’re like zucchini fritters, but for fall.
A Cookie Named Desire
58. Butternut Squash Hummus
You’ll want extra pita for dipping, trust us.
The Full Helping
59. Slow-Cooker Black Bean, Butternut Squash and Quinoa Chili
Even without meat, this dish manages to be hearty and satisfying.
What’s Gaby Cooking
60. Roasted Acorn Squash
It’s topped with ricotta, honey and pomegranate for good measure.
How Sweet Eats
61. Broccoli Cheddar–Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
If only all our green veggies were served this way.
Pinch of Yum
62. Creamy Parmesan Orecchiette with Butternut Squash and Broccolini
It’s rich but not too heavy and packed with seasonal favorites. Swoon.
RELATED: 19 Fall Pasta Recipes That Take an Hour or Less
The Defined Dish
63. Beef Enchilada–Stuffed Acorn Squash
You won’t even miss the tortillas in this one.
Damn Delicious
64. Butternut Squash Fritters
They’re kind of like latkes, with an autumnal twist.
Gimme Some Oven
65. Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Kale and Sage Brown Butter Sauce
We’ll never get tired of this flavor combination. The gnocchi is store-bought to streamline the process.
The Modern Proper
66. Maple Roasted Squash Salad
This is giving the kale Caesar a run for its money.
Half Baked Harvest
67. Creamy Butternut Squash alla Vodka Pasta
Can this be dinner every night? Asking for a friend…
Cookie and Kate
68. Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos
Everything’s tastier when it’s served as a taco.
Spoon Fork Bacon
69. Spiced Butternut Squash Pie
Yes, you can even use winter squash in dessert. (Pumpkin is a squash, after all.)
The Mom 100
70. Moroccan Lamb and Butternut Squash Stew
Serve it over rice or mashed potatoes, or just on its own.
All the Healthy Things
71. Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette
When you need a break from the stick-to-your-ribs meals, this feel-good salad will be waiting.
How Sweet Eats
72. Parmesan Sage Crusted Butternut Squash Galette
Pie for dinner? Don’t mind if we do.
A Classic Twist
73. Kale Salad with Maple Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
This would make a mean meal-prep lunch.
Sassy Kitchen
74. Roasted Kabocha with Wild Mushrooms, Quinoa and Lemon Thyme
See? Roasted vegetables don’t have to be boring.
I Heart Umami
75. Simmered Kabocha Squash with Chicken and Enoki Mushrooms
Psst: You can assembly the ingredients in a bag, freeze it, then cook when you’re ready (or feeling super lazy).
Dinner at the Zoo
76. Brown Sugar Delicata Squash
This is going to be our new go-to side dish, we can just tell.
Spoon Fork Bacon
77. Streuseled Acorn Squash Muffins
This calls for a fresh pot of coffee.
Darn Good Veggies
78. Squash Apple Brussel Sprout Bake
You’ve got one pan and 20 minutes to spare, right?
The Simple Veganista
79. Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa, Cranberry and Pistachio
They’re pretty and fancy enough for a holiday spread, but simple enough for any night of the week.
Spoon Fork Bacon
80. Butternut Squash Mezzaluna
Are you a restaurant chef or something?
