Perfect Baked Butternut Squash

Want to fire up your oven for squash? Try this Baked Butternut Squash! This vibrant orange vegetable is everyone’s favorite in the fall. But it’s notoriously unruly: difficult to cut and peel. The best way to bake it? Roast it whole: there’s no need to peel it, just pop it in the oven! Whole baked squash is perfect for purees and soups. If you’re looking for chopped squash as a side dish, we’ve got that too! Here’s what to know about how to bake butternut squash.

How to make baked butternut squash (whole)

One of the best ways to make baked butternut squash: roasting it whole! A major pro to this method: you don’t need to peel or chop it! Make a whole baked butternut squash when you’re making a mash, puree, or soup. It’s easiest to serve this squash by scooping the flesh out from the skin. How long to bake butternut squash whole? A medium squash (3 pounds) sliced in half takes 45 minutes to bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the squash in half. Drizzle with olive oil, then add salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until fork tender, about 45 minutes for a medium-sized squash.

How to bake butternut squash (chopped into cubes)

Want to serve baked butternut squash as a side dish? Cut it into cubes and roast it! This method requires that you peel and dice the squash. However, it shortens the cook time and makes squash cubes that are perfect for side dishes and salads. How long to bake butternut squash chopped? Squash chopped into 1/2-inch cubes takes 30 minutes to bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel and cut the butternut squash into 1/2-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then pour the squash on top in an even layer. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until tender and browned, turning once.

Finding quality butternut squash

One note on the quality of butternut squash: we’ve found that sometimes butternut squash grown in gardens or even some from farmer’s markets aren’t perfectly ripe. We recently baked a squash that was gifted to us, only to find its flavor was dull and bland: not sweet at all! This can also happen if you’ve stored a squash for over 3 months. Store whole butternut squash for 1 to 2 months in a cool, dark place. If this happens to you, don’t blame it on the method! It’s likely the squash. Many times there are no outward signs on the squash itself. Make sure you’re buying from a quality supplier and that the squash is as fresh as possible.

Recipes for using baked butternut squash

Once you’ve baked up a squash, there are many ways to use it! Here are our top butternut squash recipes for using this recipe:

Whole baked squash

Puree: This Butternut Squash Puree is silky and smooth, perfect for serving with roast chicken, fish or a hearty vegetarian main. Stuffed: Try Stuffed Butternut Squash to make it into a hearty main dish. Mashed: Mashed Butternut Squash is a chunky mash that’s ideal for any fall meal. Soup: Try Creamy Squash Soup or Curried Butternut Squash Soup (add the baked squash with the coconut milk).

Chopped baked squash

Lasagna: Try this Butternut Squash Lasagna with Sage: a stunning and hearty fall main dish! Salad: Add it to a Butternut Squash Salad. Side dish: Make tasty Roasted Butternut Squash.