Description
This Roasted Butternut Squash recipe is a simple, flavorful, and healthy side dish perfect for fall. Featuring tender, caramelized squash seasoned with olive oil, herbs, and garlic powder, it can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with a drizzle of rich browned butter for added depth and warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Squash
- 1 medium (2-3 pounds) butternut squash
Seasoning & Oil
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper (or ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or Herbs de Provence)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a large baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the butternut squash: Peel the butternut squash using a regular vegetable peeler. Then carefully slice it lengthwise down the middle. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and innards. Chop the squash into 1-inch pieces and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Coat with olive oil: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the squash pieces. Toss gently with spoons or your hands to ensure all pieces are well coated, which will help with roasting and browning.
- Season the squash: Sprinkle salt, cracked black pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and garlic powder evenly over the coated squash pieces, distributing the flavors throughout.
- Roast the squash: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Roast until the squash is very tender when pierced with a fork and edges start to brown, indicating caramelization and deep flavor development.
- Melt and brown the butter (optional): While the squash is roasting or once it’s out of the oven, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Allow it to simmer and cook until it transitions from pale yellow to a dark golden brown color, developing a nutty aroma. Remove from heat promptly to avoid burning.
- Serve: Spoon the browned butter over the roasted squash just before serving for a rich, flavorful finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its best.
Notes
- Roasted butternut squash is a quintessential comforting fall side dish that combines simplicity with robust flavor.
- Using dried Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence adds an aromatic herbal quality, but feel free to swap with other herbs like rosemary or thyme if preferred.
- The browned butter step is optional but highly recommended for a luxurious taste and texture contrast.
- For easier peeling, you can microwave the squash for a few minutes beforehand to soften the skin slightly.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, grains, or can be served as a vegetarian entrée alongside other vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 147 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 404 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
