Winter Squash & Butternut Squash Recipes

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Roasted Squash Soup with Sage

Present squash soup right in the squash shell. It’s seasonal, delicious, and you don’t have to wash bowls.

Recipe: Roasted Squash Soup with Sage

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Curried Roasted Squash Soup

Kabocha (Japanese winter squash) has deep orange, sweet, smooth flesh that makes a terrific soup―especially when tinged with curry.

Recipe: Curried Roasted Squash Soup

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; food styling by Karen Shinto

Squash and Chickpea Fritters with Winter Greens and Hazelnut Salad

Warm and crispy veggie fritters accompanied by a crisp seasonal salad makes for a lovely autumn appetizer.

Recipe: Squash and Chickpea Fritters with Winter Greens and Hazelnut Salad

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Eric Gower

Rooibos Butternut “Pizzettas”

Think of these roasted squash rounds as tiny pizzas: You bake them and add any topping you like. They tend to go fast at parties.

Recipe: Rooibos Butternut “Pizzettas”

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

An earthy whole grain, sweet winter squash, and hearty beans make this a complete meal in a bowl. Serve with cornbread or polenta.

Recipe: Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

Photo by Yunhee Kim

Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

The sweet spices in this dish make it the perfect stew for autumn.

Recipe: Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Elaine Johnson and Amy Machnak

Ramen with Ginger Roasted Squash and Crispy Pork Belly

A far cry from the store-bought packages, real ramen starts with amazing broth. Chef Kolin Vazzoler, of the late, lamented Shimo Modern Steak in Healdsburg, California, simmered his for 12 hours. Our simplified version of his dish doesn’t take nearly that long, but it’s still over the top, taste-wise.

Recipe: Ramen with Ginger Roasted Squash and Crispy Pork Belly

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Butternut Squash Gnocchi

These little dumplings are ever so slightly sweet. Dress the dumplings with melted butter and parmesan cheese to add a rich flavor.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Gnocchi

Photo by Lisa Romerein

Giant Butternut Squash Ravioli

To lighten up cooking while keeping it vibrant, look to Italy for inspiration. Butternut squash has a naturally rich, creamy texture and sweet flavor. Paired with crunchy almonds and earthy sage and parmesan, it makes an unforgettable filling for oversize ravioli.

Recipe: Giant Butternut Squash Ravioli

Photo by Yunhee Kim

Wild Mushroom and Butternut Squash Bread Pudding

This works really well as a holiday side dish--or a vegetarian main dish for a hearty weeknight meal.

Recipe: Wild Mushroom and Butternut Squash Bread Pudding

Photo by Alex Farnum

Pork Chops with Butternut Squash, Escarole, and Walnuts

Apple cider vinegar is great with pork and winter squash; it adds sweet-tart flavor but no extra calories or sodium.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Butternut Squash, Escarole, and Walnuts

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Whole-Wheat Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Kale

If only all vegetarian lasagna tasted this good. The crunchy kale and the puréed squash make a fabulous duo layered between sheets of pasta and tangy tomato sauce.

Recipe: Whole-Wheat Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Kale

Photography by Leigh Beisch; food styling by Dan Becker

Chile-roasted Acorn Squash

You can eat these spicy-sweet, soft wedges skin and all, making them a no-fuss addition to your holiday meal.

Recipe: Chile-roasted Acorn Squash

A vegetarian meal of spaghetti squash with jalapeno cream.

Photo by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Spaghetti Squash with Jalapeño Cream

We've tossed spaghetti squash with a spicy cream sauce and baked it, mac-'n'-cheese-style, for a warming, hearty dish that doubles easily and reheats beautifully.

Recipe: Spaghetti Squash with Jalapeño Cream

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Margo True

Black Rice Salad with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds

Need a little excitement in your life (or at least your cooking)? Try this jet-black rice, filled with sweet hunks of roasted squash, toasted pecans, and juicy, bright-red pomegranate seeds. It's drama in a bowl, and it's utterly delicious.

Recipe: Black Rice Salad with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Nut-Stuffed Delicata Squash

Need a cold-weather vegetarian main dish? These stuffed squash satisfied even the most carnivorous Sunset staff members. Some kind of alchemy takes place with the onions, sage, and nuts to create a distinctly sausagelike flavor.

Recipe: Nut-Stuffed Delicata Squash

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Miso-Glazed Kabocha Squash

The umami flavor of miso plays well with rich-tasting kabocha squash.

Recipe: Miso-Glazed Kabocha Squash

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Butternut Squash with Green Chile and Mustard Seeds

A fast, fun accompaniment to any simply grilled, broiled, or roasted meat. We particularly like it with a rotisserie chicken, some crusty bread, and Greek-style yogurt on the side.

Recipe: Butternut Squash with Green Chile and Mustard Seeds

Photo by Leo Gong

Squash Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Soft, cheerfully orange, and slightly sweet, these rolls are perfect for the holiday table or a speciali autumn dinner.

Recipe: Squash Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Kabocha Squash with Dukkah and Cider Molasses

This brilliant combo of sweet squash with tangy yogurt, fruity syrup, toasted spices, and browned butter comes from Matthew Dillon, chef of Sitka & Spruce and the new Bar Sajor in Seattle.

Recipe: Kabocha Squash with Dukkah and Cider Molasses

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

This hearty dessert also makes a tasty breakfast, with maple syrup in place of the sauce.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

21 ways with winter squash

Roasted Squash Soup with Sage

Curried Roasted Squash Soup

Squash and Chickpea Fritters with Winter Greens and Hazelnut Salad

Rooibos Butternut “Pizzettas”

Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

Ramen with Ginger ​Roasted Squash and ​Crispy Pork Belly

Butternut Squash Gnocchi

Giant Butternut Squash Ravioli

Wild Mushroom and Butternut Squash Bread Pudding

Pork Chops with Butternut Squash, Escarole, and Walnuts

Whole-Wheat Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Kale

Chile-roasted Acorn Squash

Spaghetti Squash with Jalapeño Cream

Black Rice Salad with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds

Nut-Stuffed Delicata Squash

Miso-Glazed Kabocha Squash

Butternut Squash with Green Chile and Mustard Seeds

Squash Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Kabocha Squash with Dukkah and Cider Molasses

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

Ramen with Ginger Roasted Squash and Crispy Pork Belly