If you're on the lookout for a simple side dish that you can enjoy no matter the season, give roasted butternut squash a try. This dish is a delightful blend of flavors and nutrients that can complement any protein or salad. It's versatile enough to be a delicious addition to your meals year-round.
Today, I want to share a very simple roasted butternut squash recipe. This recipe has everything you need: a list of ingredients, a step-by-step guide to baking in the oven, and some cool tips to make it even better.
What's great about roasted butternut squash is how simple it is. With only a handful of basic ingredients, you can transform this squash into a side dish bursting with flavor.
Serve this roasted butternut squash with roasted half chicken, and you'll have a complete, tasty, and nutritious meal.
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Ingredients
Here's a handy list of the things you'll need to make some amazing roasted butternut squash:
1. Butternut Squash: It's important to use fresh butternut squash. You can go for pre-cut pieces or peel and cut them at home, just make sure they're not frozen.
2. Garlic Salt: I opted for store-bought garlic salt because it comes with other spices and herbs that'll add more yummy flavors to the butternut squash. No need to worry about a long list of extra ingredients!
3. Black Pepper: A little black pepper to give your dish some zing.
4. Olive Oil: This is what gives the squash that wonderful roasted texture and taste.
Now that you've got your ingredients all set, let's dive into making this fantastic roasted butternut squash dish!
How to Make Oven-Roasted Butternut Squash
Below, you'll find the step-by-step process for roasting butternut squash in the oven:
1. Prepare the Oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Cube the Butternut Squash. Dice the butternut squash into consistent cubes and place them in a spacious bowl.
3. Add Seasonings. Add garlic salt, olive oil, and black pepper to the bowl.
4. Season the Butternut Squash. Use clean hands or kitchen tongs to mix everything together, making sure the butternut squash gets seasoned on all sides.
5. Roast in the Oven. Now, transfer the mixture to a spacious baking sheet. Roast it in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.
Variations and Substitutions
· Creating Your Own Garlic Salt at Home: If store-bought garlic salt isn't your thing, you can still get that wonderful garlic taste by making your own using garlic powder and kosher salt. It's incredibly easy – for every 2 teaspoons of garlic salt needed, just mix 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (or 1 tablespoon of minced garlic) with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon of sea salt). That's it! You'll have your very own homemade garlic salt mix to use!
· Herbs and Spices. Feel free to add herbs of your choice, like thyme, to bring extra flavor to the butternut squash.
Tips for Achieving Delicious Roasted Butternut Squash
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to ensure the best results:
1. Choose the Right Baking Sheet Size: Your baking sheet should be spacious enough for the butternut squash pieces to fit without overlapping.
2. Uniform Size: Cut the butternut squash into similar sizes. This helps them cook evenly, all at the same time and pace.
3. Cooking Time Variations: Keep in mind that cooking time might differ based on the butternut squash's size, the baking sheet, and the type of oven you're using. As a result, remember to check the doneness of the butternut squash and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Storage
If you have leftover roasted butternut squash, follow these steps to store and enjoy them later:
1. Time Limit: Do not keep leftover roasted butternut squash at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
2. Cool Before Storing: Allow the roasted squash to cool down before storing it.
3. Airtight Container: Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container.
4. Storage Duration: Store the container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Alternatively, you can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Here's how to reheat roasted butternut squash:
1. Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover roasted butternut squash on a baking sheet in a single layer. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it's heated through.
2. Microwave Method: Place the leftover roasted butternut squash in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's heated to your desired temperature.
3. Stovetop Method: In a non-stick skillet, warm the leftover roasted butternut squash over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. This method might take around 5-10 minutes.
Remember, reheating times might vary based on the quantity of squash and your appliance's power. Always keep an eye on the squash while reheating to prevent overcooking. Enjoy your reheated roasted butternut squash!
Use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the butternut squash. Afterward, halve the squash lengthwise, scooping out and discarding the seeds. Proceed to slice each half into 1-inch slices, followed by cutting the slices into 1-inch cubes.
The skin of butternut squash is notably thick but edible. If you prefer to roast the squash with its skin intact, that's an option as well. You can effortlessly remove the skin after the cooking process.
To keep your roasted butternut squash from turning too mushy, make sure you cut them into similar sizes. Spread them out on a baking sheet with enough space, so they're not too close together. If they're crowded on the pan, they'll get steamy instead of getting crispy. Additionally, it's important to cook them at a high temperature, typically between 400 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
You'll know that your butternut squash is fully cooked and ready when it becomes easily pierced with a fork.
You don't have to do this, but if you flip the butternut squash and turn the baking pan around while roasting, it can help the squash cook evenly on all sides.
Check Out More Side Dish Recipes
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash
Equipment
- a large baking sheet
- a large bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pounds peeled and cubed butternut squash, (about an inch chunks)
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt, store-bought (add more according to your liking)
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place cubed butternut squash, garlic salt, olive oil, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Use clean hands or kitchen tongs to mix everything together, making sure the butternut squash gets seasoned on all sides.
- Now, transfer the mixture onto a large, prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast it in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. Flip the cubed butternut squash and rotate the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking.
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