Roasted Acorn Squash

Roasted acorn squash is a delicious and simple Fall side dish. It’s made of acorn squash and a sprinkling of spices. 

 

Roasted Acorn Squash

This roasted acorn squash will surely please everybody in your house, and it will change the minds of those who don’t even like squash vegetables. Why am I so sure about that?

Well, would you believe me if I told you that I was never a squash fan? True. I used to say that I didn’t like acorn squash even though I’ve never EVER tried acorn squash in my life.

So, yesterday, I went to my local grocery store, and I decided to give it a try. OMG, I’m so glad that I gave it a chance because I LOVED it. I swear to you.

This Roasted Acorn Squash recipe is just amazing. It’s bittersweet, tender, tasty, rich, and delicious! And you won’t believe how easy it is to make roasted acorn squash.

How to cut an acorn squash:

Cutting an acorn squash to cook can be a little hard and tricky because of the tough shell. So, follow the tips below to cut it easily and safely.

1. Place the acorn squash on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, slice the squash in half. It will take some strength and force to cut it, but if you cut it slowly and straight down, you will get it.
2. Once you slice the acorn squash in half, using a metal spoon, scoop out all of the seeds and membrane from each of the acorn squash halves.

1. You can bake the acorn squash halves and stuff them with a delicious filling. Or you can lay the squash down, flat-side down, and slice into 1-2 inch slices for roasting.
2. You don’t need to peel acorn squash before cutting or preparing it. Then, simply roast as I explained below or in the recipe box.

How to cook acorn squash

Ingredients

• Acorn squash — To pick the perfect squash, choose one that feels heavy for its size and has blemish-free skin. It should be dark green but may have an orange spot or two. Make sure the squash feels firm and doesn’t have soft spots.
• Olive oil — You can also use any oil of your choice.
• Seasoning — I season my acorn squash with paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Fresh parsley — chopped for garnishing and it adds a pretty pop of colour.

Instructions

Instructions to Make Roasted Acorn Sqaush

It’s super easy to roast an acorn squash. All you need to do is:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment or aluminum foil if you prefer.
3. Place the acorn squash on a cutting board and using a sharp knife, slice the acorn squash in half. Then, remove the seeds using a spoon.
4. Lay the half acorn squash cut-side-down and slice into 1/4 inch slices parallel to the stem.
5. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, pouring olive oil over the top of the acorn squash and sprinkling with the spices.
6. Roast for 40-50 minutes until the squash slices are fork-tender. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

How To Store Leftovers

• To Store: Let your leftover acorn squash cool and place it in an airtight container.  Store your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To Freeze: Keep in mind that while you can freeze roasted acorn squash, the texture won’t be as good the second time around. If you do decide to freeze your leftovers, store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
• To Reheat: Reheat your leftovers in the microwave or the oven at 350 degrees F until they are warmed through.

What does acorn squash pair well with?

A holiday showstopper: This roasted acorn squash is a beautiful dish that looks as good as it tastes! Try pairing it with my garlic butter turkey breasts for a holiday meal that will really wow your guests.

Seasonal vegetables: I love pairing vegetables together anytime I can. Cauliflower, brussels sprouts, delicata squash, broccoli, and spaghetti squash are great compliments to one another, so this dish pairs perfectly with my mashed cauliflower.

Savory veggie fried rice: Another favorite dish that I like to pair with roasted acorn squash is my fried cauliflower rice. Serve the roasted acorn squash as a side for a delicious vegetarian meal.  

Recipe Variations

Add protein: Roasted acorn squash is the perfect vegetable to transform into a tasty and hearty meal. Instead of slicing your acorn squash, simply cut it in half, roast the two halves, and stuff them with your favorite ingredients. And the best part is that you can eat the bowl, too!

Switch up the seasoning: Acorn squash is a very versatile ingredient, so you can have fun with this recipe and try all kinds of different seasonings, such as chili powder. Lean into the sweeter side by adding spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, or try different combinations of fresh herbs.

Make it cheesy: Add a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of your roasted acorn squash before you serve. The rich, nutty flavor of the parmesan complements this recipe so well.

More roasted acorn squash to make: Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash, Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash, and Sausage and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash.