How to Cook Butternut Squash

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 7, 2022 Tested

Butternut squash is a healthy, versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a number of ways. Learn how to bake, roast, and mash butternut squash to use in different dishes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Baked Butternut Squash

1
Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make baked butternut squash:
- 1 large butternut squash
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 3 drops vanilla extract
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Nonstick spray
2
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC).^{[1]
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3
Remove the seeds from one large butternut squash. Use a knife or a spoon to scoop out the seeds. If you like, you can save the seeds and toast them or use them for another recipe, such as a crunchy salad.
4
Peel off the skin and chop the squash into serving portions.
5
Cut it into several large slices. When you're done, place the squash in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
6
Marinade the squash in a mixture of honey and vanilla extract. Pour 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml). of honey and three drops of vanilla extract onto the squash in the tin. You can flip the squash over and spread the honey onto both sides if you want to cover it more evenly.
7
Season the squash with salt and pepper. Season it with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Cover the squash with aluminum foil. Place aluminum foil over the baking dish so the squash doesn't get burned.
9
Bake the squash in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
10
Bake it until it's tender, but not too soft.
11
Serve. Enjoy this tasty squash while it's hot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Roasted Butternut Squash

1
Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make roasted butternut squash:
- 1 large butternut squash
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. cinnamon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
2
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC).^{[2]
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Research source}
3
Peel the squash using a vegetable peeler or paring knife.
4
Slice the squash in half.
5
Remove the seeds and pulp. You can use a large or small spoon to do this, or use a knife to cut out the center a bit first and then scoop it out with a spoon.
6
Cube the squash. Cut it into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
7
Grease a 9 x 13" cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
8
Spread the cubes evenly on a cookie sheet. Try not to let them touch. You won't need to cover the cookie sheet to roast the squash properly.
9
Melt 1/2 cup of butter. Place 1/2 cup of butter on a frying pan and heat it until it melts. You can also place the butter in a microwave-safe covered dish and heat it for 30 seconds to one minute.
10
Drizzle the butter and brown sugar mixture over the squash. Drizzle 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar over the squash and toss it to coat evenly. Then, season it with 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml). of cinnamon and with salt and pepper to taste.
11
Cook the squash in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Place the cookie sheet with the squash in the oven.
12
Remove the squash from the oven. Loosen it and toss it with a spatula, and then return it to the oven for another 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is golden brown and a fork pierces it easily.
13
Serve. Serve this squash immediately, while it's hot.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mashed Butternut Squash

1
Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make mashed butternut squash:
- 1 large butternut squash
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
2
Peel the squash. Use a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to peel the skin off of the squash.^{[3]
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3
Slice the squash in half. This will make it easy to remove the seeds and pulp from the squash.
4
Remove the seeds. Use a large spoon so scrape out the insides of the squash, removing the seeds and pulp.
5
Cut the squash into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
6
Place the cubes in a saucepan. Cover the cubes with water and bring the water to a boil. Cook the squash until it's tender when you pierce it with a fork, for about 10-15 minutes.
7
Strain the squash and return it to the pan. Use a strainer to remove the excess liquid from the squash.
8
Mash the squash until it's coarse. Use an electric mixer or a hand masher to mash the squash until it reaches a coarse consistency.
9
Add the butter, brown sugar, and salt and pepper to the squash. Drizzle 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar onto the squash, and season it with salt and pepper to taste.
10
Mash the squash until it's smooth. This will blend the ingredients into the squash as well as change its texture.
11
Serve. Enjoy this mashed squash immediately, while it's hot. You can eat it on its own or as a side with chicken, beef, or veggies.

Community Q&A

Question

How many servings will I get from a medium to large butternut squash? I need enough for twenty people.

Community Answer

You generally would have around four large squash for 20 people, but it does change drastically as you add side dishes and such.
Question

How long should I cook the squash if I place it in the oven whole with skin?

Community Answer

Wash the squash, prick it with a small knife or with a fork. Put it in a baking pan and add water. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour. Test it and see if it is tender with a fork or a knife. If it is tender, remove from the oven and pan, slice in half and then slice again (4 parts). Scoop out seeds and stringy pulp. Now put some butter, honey or brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper and serve. You can even leave the skin on and use it like a bowl.
Question

How do I make a Butternut squash soup?

Community Answer

Start with a cup or two of beef broth. Simmer chunks of your squash in it until the squash is quite tender. Pull out and cool most of the squash, then puree it with some of the beef broth. Add the puree back into the broth and add just enough cream to smooth out the flavors. Add some black pepper to taste. Savory would also be good in this. Change the amount of broth, how much squash you puree, the amount of cream you put in (or leave the cream out entirely) according to your taste preferences. Experiment and add brown sugar or nutmeg.

Warnings

Butternut squash is very hard. Use proper knife-handling skills when slicing and cutting into cubes to avoid injuring yourself.

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