Image from Wholesomelicious
Cooler weather has arrived and butternut squash is a fantastic vegetable at this time of the year.
It is such a great way to make meals more interesting and vibrant. Besides, the vegetable is extremely versatile. There are many great butternut squash recipes to try, including the selection featured in this article.
The list includes recipes ranging from Vegan to Paleo, and from soups to entrees. Check it out! There’s something for everyone.
Golden Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
Image from The Full Helping
Diet Type: Gluten-free
This Golden Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry is a great recipe for meal planning. Not only is the curry easy to make, but you can also cook it in batches and freeze it. That makes it relevant in many different situations. The curry is also tomato-free and uses a few interesting ingredients. The recipe seems to be a particularly good choice in the cooler months, as is often the case. Try it for yourself, you’re bound to love the end result.
Meal Prep Chicken & Butternut Squash Harvest Bowls
Image from The Girl on Bloor
Diet Type: Nothing specific
As the name suggests, these Meal Prep Chicken & Butternut Squash Harvest Bowls were developed with meal prepping in mind. And, why not? Meal prepping is a fantastic way to make dinners and lunches easier later in the week. I also love the rainbow of colors in the dish. This makes it clear that you’re getting a wide range of beneficial nutrients from the meal.
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
Image from Life as a Strawberry
Diet Type: Nothing specific
This Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto is a perfect choice for fall and includes just the right amounts of cheesiness and creaminess. It certainly makes a good comfort food. The inclusion of butternut squash into the mix makes the flavor more interesting while adding to the creaminess as well. What’s not to love?
Butternut Squash Dessert Smoothie
Image from It’s a Veg World After All
Diet Type: Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free
Who says that butternut squash dishes must be savory only? This Butternut Squash Dessert Smoothie shows that you can have sweet recipes too. The idea might sound a little odd, but once you check out the recipe, you’ll agree that it sounds delicious. As the image shows, the recipe also uses cinnamon as in ingredient. That makes it a good way to get the benefits of the spice.
Spicy Sweet Squash Bowl
Image from Pinch of Yum
Diet Type: Nothing specific
I’m always a fan of bowl-based recipes and this Spicy Sweet Squash Bowl is a fun one to try. The recipe includes quinoa, which provides various nutrients and protein. You could also substitute in another grain alternative if you prefer. I especially like the inclusion of spinach. The bright color stands out in the bowl and makes the whole meal look much more interesting.
Creamy Six Cheese (Maybe Seven) Spinach & Butternut Squash Casserole
Image from Inspector Gorgeous
Diet Type: Low-carb
Anyone who loves cheese will have problems going past this Creamy Six Cheese (Maybe Seven) Spinach & Butternut Squash Casserole. The recipe is the very definition of comfort food. It’s the perfect thing for a cold night or any night for that matter. You can even make the recipe with frozen butternut squash. This makes it an incredibly easy meal to prepare.
Vegan Butternut Squash Chili
Image from The Picky Eater
Diet Type: Vegan
This Vegan Butternut Squash Chili is everything that the name suggests - warm, hearty, packed with flavor and perfect when the weather is cold. As Anjali mentions, the recipe has a long ingredients list but is very easy to make. That’s partly because many of the ingredients are spices. These provide the depth of flavor that makes the chili taste so good.
Butternut Squash Curry
Image from Delicious Everyday
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-free
This Butternut Squash Curry is an interesting vegan alternative to meat-based curries. The recipe combines flavors from Thai and Indian cuisine, to create something that is unusual and certainly appealing. The finished dish also looks fantastic and is so different than most of the other curries you will have tried before. By far, my favorite part is the combination of spices that gives the curry its complex flavor.
Spiralized Butternut Squash Bowls with Harissa Chickpeas + Quinoa
Image from Simply Quinoa
Diet Type: Nothing specific
These Spiralized Butternut Squash Bowls with Harissa Chickpeas + Quinoa offer an interesting combination of ingredients and manage to look gorgeous at the same time. It’s hard to pick a favorite part of this recipe, although I do love the inclusion of pomegranate arils in the mix. It’s easy to see that the bowls would have an unusual combination of flavors and textures.
Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta
Image from Hummusapien
Diet Type: Vegan
This Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta recipe is a nice and easy choice. It works particularly well if you are cooking for a crowd of people. You also have the choice of baking it in the oven or skipping that step. Either option works well and just depends on your preferences (as well as the amount of time you have). Alexis suggests serving the pasta with hot sauce - that sounds like an interesting flavor combination.
Creamy (vegan!) Butternut Squash Linguine with Fried Sage
Image from Cookie + Kate
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-free (if you use gluten-free pasta)
Here’s a recipe for all you pasta lovers: Creamy (vegan!) Butternut Squash Linguine with Fried Sage. The dish was originally based on a recipe that relied on chicken broth and pancetta for flavoring, but Kate was able to make a vegan version that has a much better combination of flavors. As she mentions, the recipe has an unusual cooking technique that makes it incredibly easy to prepare.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Image from So Vegan
Diet Type: Vegan
Here’s another pasta recipe to try. This time, it’s called Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta. The overall concept is similar to the previous recipe, but there are some key differences as well. The recipe is a simple one to make and has a nice balance of ingredients. I love the inclusion of cashews in the mix, which helps to give it a little more body.
Vegan Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas with Jalapeno Cashew Creama
Image from Ambitious Kitchen
Diet Type: Vegan
If you want something unusual, you shouldn’t go past this Vegan Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas with Jalapeno Cashew Creama recipe. I know, I know… the title is a bit of a mouthful. Still, it tells you exactly what you can expect. The combination of flavors here is simply awesome - not to mention the way the finished dish looks in the pan. Even if you’re not a fan of enchiladas, these ones are worth trying for yourself.
Classic Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Image from Seasons & Suppers
Diet Type: Nothing specific
Soup is one of the most popular uses for butternut squash, so I had to include at least one option in the list. As the name suggests, this Classic Roasted Butternut Squash Soup sticks to traditional approaches. That’s not a bad thing and the soup will still taste amazing. The recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you need it.
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Image from Jessica in the Kitchen
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-free
I love the bright color of this Vegan Butternut Squash Soup. Doesn’t it just look stunning? The recipe is also very convenient, taking just one pot and 30 minutes to prepare. That means you can make the soup whenever you feel like it. Jessica also includes a lime, which adds some interesting acidity and provides extra depth of flavor.
Mashed Butternut Squash, Carrot, And Potatoes
Image from Perchance to Cook
Diet Type: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Whole30
Mashed vegetables always make a great side dish and this Mashed Butternut Squash, Carrot, And Potatoes recipe is no exception. The meal itself is very easy to make. It also has a fun combination of texture and flavors that seems to simply work well. As Dominique mentions, you could easily use this as a topping for another dish, like shepherd's pie.
Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
Image from Show Me The Yummy
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-free
If you enjoy using your slow cooker, then this Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup is for you. What’s more, the recipe cooks within 3 hours, but you can leave it all day if you need to. How’s that for versatility? There are also some unexpected flavors that make this soup even more interesting. I’m not going to give them away. You’ll have to check out the recipe to find out for yourself.
Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash
Image from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-free
This Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash certainly stands out. It is a popular recipe and one that works perfectly as a centerpiece. The inclusion of wild rice works exceptionally well. Not only does this make the whole dish look interesting, it also ensures that the stuffing tastes good and won’t be mushy.
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Image from Paleo Nick
Diet Type: Paleo, Gluten-Free
If you’re looking for something a little different, check out this Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe. It has all the appealing flavors of regular lasagna, just without the pasta. In many ways, the choice of ingredients is even better than the normal lasagna you would cook. It’s also a hearty meal, so it’s going to keep you full for a while.
Garlicky Mashed Butternut Squash
Image from Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen
Diet Type: Vegan
This Garlicky Mashed Butternut Squash recipe would be perfect alongside many different meals. It’s an incredibly easy recipe to make, as the main ingredient is just the butternut squash itself. In fact, once you’ve tried the recipe once, you’ll probably be making it as part of every holiday meal.
Vegan Butternut Squash Rice Bowl
Image from A Mindful Mom
Diet Type: Vegan
This Vegan Butternut Squash Rice Bowl might look simple but it does have a surprising amount of flavor thanks to the choice of seasonings and ingredients. The recipe is incredibly easy to follow and you can make changes to suit your own needs. In fact, Kristen includes a bulleted list of variations to try.
Spiced Butternut Dessert Bites
Image from Unconventional Baker
Diet Type: Nothing specific
If you don't think that butternut squash is suitable for desserts, you have to try these Spiced Butternut Dessert Bites. Trust me, you'll be convinced. The idea might seem odd, but the combination of flavors works exceptionally well. You'll wonder why you never thought of trying something like this sooner.
Baked Butternut Squash, Pancetta & Sage Risotto
Image from No Spoon Necessary
Diet Type: Nothing specific
Check out this Baked Butternut Squash, Pancetta & Sage Risotto for an interesting dinner recipe. I particularly love the complexity of flavors in this recipe. Cheyanne has done an amazing job at creating a flavor-packed dish that stands out from the crowd. The meal is also vibrant enough that you could have it regardless of the weather outside.
Winter Squash & Chickpea Curry
Image from Dinner with Julie
Diet Type: Vegan
This Winter Squash & Chickpea Curry is the ideal choice for anyone who loves hearty and warming food. The inclusion of chickpeas helps to make it particularly filling. The dish also reheats well, so you could save some leftovers for lunch the next day.
Butternut Squash Noodles with Tomato Basil Sausage Cream Sauce
Image from Wholesomelicious
Diet Type: Paleo, Gluten-Free, Whole30
This Butternut Squash Noodles with Tomato Basil Sausage Cream Sauce recipe uses the same concept as zoodles, except that butternut squash is the star ingredient. It would also be an interesting recipe for kids, especially with the combination of flavors and the way that it looks visually. The sauce also creates a cheesy taste, even though it is dairy-free.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup
Image from Damn Delicious
Diet Type: Nothing specific
Butternut squash soup is a common meal, but this Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup offers a twist on that concept. The inclusion of bacon is genius. It helps to create a more complex depth of flavor that makes the meal so much more interesting. Besides, you have to admit that it looks delicious in the bowl.
Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Image from Choosing Chia
Diet Type: Vegan
This Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is just as good as it looks and sounds. The choice of ingredients means that this is just as creamy and comforting as regular mac and cheese, while also being entirely vegan-friendly. It’s also a healthy version of mac and cheese, so you don’t need to worry about going back for more.
Butternut Squash Risotto with Pine Nuts, Balsamic Drizzle, and Fried Sage
Image from Love and Olive Oil
Diet Type: Nothing specific
If you like risotto, you’re going to love this Butternut Squash Risotto with Pine Nuts, Balsamic Drizzle, and Fried Sage recipe. The meal combines various interesting flavors to make a dish that is much more delicious and engaging than any risotto that you’ve tried before. I particularly love the choice of garnishes. They help to bring the whole recipe together.
Easy Butternut Squash & Spinach Curry
Image from A Virtual Vegan
Diet Type: Vegan, Gluten-Free
The choice of flavors in this Easy Butternut Squash & Spinach Curry is simply the best. The meal is much more interesting than simply a butternut squash soup and it’s different than most other curries that you will have tried as well. But, one of the biggest advantages is the ease of preparation. The meal takes just 30 minutes to cool, from start to finish. It’s not overly spicy either.
Looking for More?
If you’re in the mood for seasonal meals, take a look at the roundup for low carb pumpkin recipes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a low carb diet or not – the recipes are perfect for the cooler months. There is also plenty of variety, including desserts and warming dinners.
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