58 Must-Make Butternut Squash Recipes For Thanksgiving Dinner

Parade

13 November 2024 at 10:38 am·17-min read

There's no vegetable more synonymous with fall than butternut squash. This hearty, healthy gourd gets so much love during the autumn months—especially during Thanksgiving—that it's hard to imagine a season without a myriad of butternut squash recipes.

Of course, there's the holy grail of all butternut squash recipes—butternut squash soup—but butternut squash mac and cheese, along with roasted or baked butternut squash are not far behind. And if you've never worked with this somewhat labor-intensive squash, there is the fear factor around cooking, cutting and cubing butternut squash. Yes, we'll give you that.

But pre-cubed butternut squash is everywhere these days! As is frozen, which can be used in most of these 58 easy butternut squash recipes that follow.

Baked Butternut Squash Recipes

Baking or roasting butternut squash brings out its sweetness, as well as almost a nutty flavor. Plus, it is super easy, like the Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Onion recipe below. Once roasted you can also use it in other dishes, such as Roast Butternut Squash and Chicken Tacos you will be drooling over in a minute.

What Recipes To Use Butternut Squash In

Butternut squash is one versatile gourd. Obviously, it can be a star side dish on its own, but it can also be a great addition to salads, soups, chili and pasta/grain dishes.

You might be surprised to know it can also be part of a dessert course. Check out the Butternut Squash Cookies and Butternut Squash Ricotta Parfait to see how!

Best Butternut Squash Recipes

Whether you're looking for a simple side salad with butternut squash, a decadent pasta or risotto, or perhaps the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer, (butternut squash deviled eggs anyone?), we've got you covered. Move over Friendsgiving, Sidesgiving is here to steal the show and it all starts with butternut squash.

Smoky Chicken and Butternut Squash Chili

<p>Heather Donahoe</p> — Heather Donahoe

When temps drop, turn to a winter-weather favorite recipe—in a snap! This recipe uses ground chicken instead of beef to cut saturated fat. And it packs a nutritional punch thanks to butternut squash.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chili

Related: 50 Best Chili Recipes

Chef Benjamin Knack's Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Top this perfectly roasted butternut squash soup with toasted walnuts or candied pecans, your preference and a few micro greens for good measure.

Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Roast Butternut Squash and Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

<p>Sanura Weathers</p> — Sanura Weathers

In this autumnal taco, butternut squash is roasted with warm spices and tossed with shredded chicken. The meat and squash filling is placed over a corn tortilla, and before it's folded in half to enclose it, pineapple salsa is spooned on top for a fresh and sweet taste.

Get the recipe: Roast Butternut Squash and Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Tomato Gratin

This recipe for Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Tomato Gratin comes from Carrie Vitt's cookbook, The Grain-Free Family Table: 125 Delicious Recipes for Fresh, Healthy Eating Every Day. It's simple to make and everyone will love it.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Tomato Gratin

Butternut Squash Cookies

You could make this recipe with pretty much any squash that has a dense and creamy flesh when cooked. You could also use sweet potatoes, which can be very interesting in desserts.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Cookies

Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Onion

<p>Andrew Purcell for Dash</p> — Andrew Purcell for Dash

Butternut squash caramelizes when roasted, turning it super sweet.

Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Onion

Butternut Squash Fries

Butternut Squash Fries are good for you and they taste just as good as regular potato fries. If you like yours a little spicy, sprinkle them with red pepper flakes.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Fries

Butternut Squash, Corn & Coconut Soup

With flavors of toasted coconut, buttered corn, fresh jalapeño and a bit of heat from the cayenne pepper, this is the perfect fall soup.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash, Corn & Coconut Soup

Pippa Middleton's Butternut Squash Lasagna

<p>Pippa Middleton</p> — Pippa Middleton

A large dish of this lasagna will bring the season to the table. This recipe from Pippa Middleton may be vegetarian, but it’s so delicious that many a carnivore will consider converting.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna

Pasta with Butternut Squash, Lemon and Sage

Butternut squash is tossed with pasta, then topped with Parmesan and pine nuts for the perfect autumnal dish.

Get the recipe: Pasta with Butternut Squash, Lemon and Sage

Related: Copycat Panera Squash Soup

Aromatic Vegetables

For the most dramatic effect, butternut squash, fennel and cauliflower are cut into large pieces and a sprig of fresh mint garnish brightens the curry flavors.

Get the recipe: Aromatic Vegetables

Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash with Couscous

Spiced chicken, butternut squash and tomatoes are slow-cooked for hours, then accompanied by crumbly couscous. Black olives are tossed in prior to serving, for pithy bursts of flavor!

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken with Couscous

Carla Hall's Butternut Squash Beignets with Caramel Dipping Sauce

The perfect dessert table should have "two pies, a cake, and a few smaller things for people to pick up, like these butternut squash beignets," says Chef Carla Hall.

Get the recipe: Carla Hall’s Pumpkin Beignets with Caramel Dipping Sauce

Butternut Squash with Egg Noodles and Spinach

The next time you decide to cook up butternut squash, instead of eating it as a side, cube it and mix it into a pasta dish, with egg noodles and spinach—delicious!

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash with Egg Noodles and Spinach

Related: 52 Easy Spinach Recipes

Roasted Squash, Red Pepper, and Jack Cheese Quesadillas

Your guests won’t miss the meat in these melt-in-your-mouth quesadillas.

Get the recipe: Roasted Squash, Red Pepper, and Jack Cheese Quesadillas

Slow Cooker Chicken with Grapes

Cumin-seasoned chicken is slow-cooked for six hours over a bed of simmering tomatoes, butternut squash, and chickpeas. Stir in sliced grapes before serving for a sweet, bright crunch. Find this and more featured in 7 Days of Satisfying Slow-Cooked Meals

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken with Grapes

Flavorful Spiced Green Pea and Potato Pocket Pasties

Moroccan seasoning, pre-made pie crusts and a bunch of veggies (like potatoes and butternut squash) combine for greatness in these tasty little treats.

Get the recipe: Spiced Green Pea and Potato Pocket Pasties

The Best Butternut Squash Soup You'll Ever Have

It's always fun to add a few dishes to the table that are beyond the turkey-stuffing-potatoes standard. This best butternut squash soup recipe is one of them.

Get the recipe: Best Butternut Squash Soup

Quinoa, Lentil and Pumpkin Risotto

Quinoa has become a superstar food of sorts. The grain, originally a staple of traditional Peruvian cuisine, made its break into the global scene a few years back, setting the foodie world abuzz and this rich and filling one-pot dish is the perfect introduction to this so-called superfood.

Get the recipe: Quinoa, Lentil and Pumpkin Risotto

Butternut Squash, Barley and Chestnut Soup

A sprinkle of Piave Vecchio, a smooth, nutty cow’s-milk cheese from the Veneto, echoes the nutty sweetness of the chestnuts and goes so well with butternut squash. The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat gently before serving.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash, Barley and Chestnut Soup

Split Pea, Butternut and Bacon Soup

Split peas give this creamy soup a punch of protein. Cut down on prep time by opting for a package of pre-cut squash. To make this vegan, omit the bacon and use a little canola oil to sauté the onions instead of the bacon fat.

Get the recipe: Split Pea, Butternut and Bacon Soup

Related: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Curried Pork Stew

This comforting aromatic stew is full of tender chunks of pork.

Get the recipe: Curried Pork Stew

Butternut Squash Ricotta Parfait

This creamy dessert comes together in no time at all and can be made with leftover pumpkin and ricotta or with frozen butternut squash, which keeps for months in the freezer.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Ricotta Parfait

Related: 12 Best Citrus Parfait Recipes

Whole Wheat Pappardelle with Roasted Butternut Squash, Broccoli Rabe & Pumpkin Seeds

This is an amazing dish because it takes everyday ingredients and joins them in a delicious and unexpected collaboration. Both the squash and the broccoli rabe have their own strong personalities—one sweet and one bitter—and each brings something to the party that would be sorely missed if one of them didn’t show up.

Get the recipe: Whole Wheat Pappardelle with Roasted Butternut Squash, Broccoli Rabe & Pumpkin Seeds

Al Roker's Veggie "Mac and Cheese" with Butternut Squash

<p>Melissa Bowman Li</p> — Melissa Bowman Li

This healthy, gluten-and-dairy-free take on "mac and cheese" was developed by Al Roker’s nutritionist, Melissa Bowman Li, and it's a winner any time of year!

Get the recipe: Al Roker's Veggie "Mac and Cheese"

Roasted Butternut Squash, Bresaola and Lingonberry

This was the most popular dish at The Peninsula New York for years and we can see why—look at it!

Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash, Bresaola and Lingonberry

Vivian Howard's Butternut Squash with Miso, Honey and More

This over-the-top autumn side dish comes from chef Vivian Howard’s cookbook, This Will Make It Taste Good, and features her all-purpose Quirky Furki spice blend. Packed with salty, sweet, umami flavor, Quirky Furki is a wonderful way to amp up the flavor of winter squash.

Get the recipe: Vivian Howard's Butternut Squash with Miso, Honey and More

Butternut Squash Deviled Eggs

<p>Rob Firing, Ivy Knight and Kerry Knight</p> — Rob Firing, Ivy Knight and Kerry Knight

Vegetables, nuts and a lower-carb appetizer like these Butternut Squash Deviled Eggs are the perfect munchies for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner chow-down. These eggs are a little lower in fat than the typical deviled egg since mashed butternut squash helps to provide the filling. No one will know there is anything different about them at all, except that they're completely delicious!

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Deviled Eggs

Warm Kale Salad with Butternut Squash

Warm Kale Salad is a hearty side or main dish that mounts a delicious defense against cold and flu season. Vitamin C-rich kale and beta carotene-packed butternut squash star in this seasonal salad, while bits of bacon add smoky flavor without driving up fat and calories.

Get the recipe: Warm Kale Salad with Butternut Squash

Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

This soup's head is in a refreshing direction, opting for tart over sweet and it chooses the mysterious savory presence of sage over the more predictable pumpkin-pie family of spices.

Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Elegant Butternut Squash Soup

Truffle oil gives this silky butternut squash soup an elegant touch.

Get the recipe: Elegant Butternut Squash Soup

Martha Stewart's Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Here, pressure-cooked butternut squash is seasoned with a spiced vinaigrette, then scattered with pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and scallions. You can try this recipe with other winter squashes, too, such as delicata (which doesn’t need to be peeled), acorn, and the versatile Long Island cheese pumpkin, one of the oldest American squash varieties.

Get the recipe: Martha Stewart's Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna

You'll never go back to red sauce lasagna again after one bite of this Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash and Kale Lasagna

Butternut Squash Chips with Cranberry Toppings

Flecked with cranberries, rosemary, and sage, these chips taste like fall. The perfect seasonal snack for holiday gatherings or any time you want to fill your house with the cozy scent of autumn, these pumpkin-flavored rounds have a cranberry topping that goes on just before serving and can be doctored with extra rosemary.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Chips with Cranberry Toppings

Lasagna with Sausage and Butternut Squash

This particular recipe includes fresh butternut squash and parsnips. The sausage adds a rich heartiness and a spicy touch, but you can certainly leave it out for a satisfying vegetarian dish. This will also travel well, so it is a great option for taking to a family or friend who could use a home-cooked dinner.

Get the recipe: Lasagna with Sausage and Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash Cheddar Tart

A food processor fitted with a grater attachment makes quick work of grating the cheese and butternut squash.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Cheddar Tart

Nutty Butternut Squash Pancakes with Baked Apples

Like its winter cousins, acorn squash and pumpkins, butternut squash are naturally sweet. They’re like having a dessert at the table. But they're a better choice than acorn squash or pumpkins, because their subtle ridges and smaller cavities make them easier to prep. (Make sure to use a sharp knife.) These pancakes make a beautiful weekend breakfast or brunch.

Get the recipe: Nutty Butternut Squash Pancakes with Baked Apples

Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sausage

Roasted vegetables and smoky sausage make a tasty dinner. At only $2.37 per serving, it's a comforting and budget-friendly meal that will be a lifesaver on busy weeknights!

Get the recipe: Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sausage

Butternut Squash Soup

<p>Condé Nast Archive</p> — Condé Nast Archive

Sour cream adds a pleasant balance to this down-home soup. Feel free to top it with grilled shrimp.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Squash and Kale One-Pot Pasta

<p>Jennifer Whitford</p> — Jennifer Whitford

One pot and 30 minutes are all you need to make a healthy, satisfying fall dinner! Cleanup is a breeze with this dish from Jennifer Whitford, a Boston-based blogger at thescrumptiouspumpkin.com.

Get the recipe: Squash and Kale One-Pot Pasta

Jamaican Butternut Squash Soup

Allspice has a flavor that’s a mixture of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. But it’s not just for desserts, as shown by Parade Chef Jon Ashton’s soup recipe. The warm flavor is a perfect match for butternut squash, which turns thick and creamy when pureed in a blender.

Get the recipe: Jamaican Butternut Squash Soup

Related: Jamaican Jerked Chicken

Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple-Bacon Butter

Roasted butternut squash is the way to go. It caramelizes ever-so-slightly, and it gives it that flavor that makes you crave it for days after eating it. This Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple-Bacon Butter is one version to try and enjoy. It would be delicious with a turkey dinner, but it also makes a terrific side dish to pork, beef and chicken.

Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple-Bacon Butter

Hearty Chickpea Vegetable Soup

<p>Canned Manufacturing Institute</p> — Canned Manufacturing Institute

Canned spinach and chickpeas make this burger as nutritious as it is delicious—it’s healthy and homemade made easy!

Get the recipe: Hearty Chickpea Vegetable Soup

Smooth Apple and Butternut Squash Soup

<p>Nisa Burns Cochran</p> — Nisa Burns Cochran

This easy-to-follow seasonal soup recipe makes the perfect wintertime warm-up. It features flavorful roasted butternut squash, sweet and tart Honeycrisp apples, sautéed onion and spices. Blend it until it's smooth and then serve.

Get the recipe: Smooth Apple and Butternut Squash Soup

Squash Soup with Nutmeg Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche is a thinner form of sour cream that is a great addition to soups and sauces. If you don't have it on hand, substitute sour cream.

Get the recipe: Squash Soup with Nutmeg Creme Fraiche

Kathy Hester's Butternut Squash Okra Gumbo

This is a Cajun gumbo, so it does not contain any tomatoes. The roux is what thickens the gumbo and gives it a deeper flavor. Butternut squash isn't a traditional ingredient, but it works so well here.

Get the recipe: Kathy Hester's Butternut Squash Okra Gumbo

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese gives the comforting dish a flavor remake, plus a dose of vitamin A, which supports eye health and immune system health.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Uncomplicated Chef's Roasted Garlic, Butternut Squash, Kale Pasta

<p>Uncomplicated Chef</p> — Uncomplicated Chef

This is basically the perfect plate of gluten-free corn, brown rice and quinoa-based spaghetti, in a garlic-cream sauce, topped with crispy bacon. Comfort food goals would be an understatement.

Get the recipe: Uncomplicated Chef's Roasted Garlic, Butternut Squash, Kale Pasta

Vegetarian Butternut Squash Lasagna

<p>Jessica Merchant</p> — Jessica Merchant

If you're a red sauce hater, you'll learn coating your noodles in tons of melted butter, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese is the way to go with this vegetarian butternut squash lasagna recipe.

Get the recipe: Vegetarian Butternut Squash Lasagna

Saffron Butternut Squash Soup

Sure, this soup has more than ten ingredients. The soup needs time to cool, before the arduous process of pureeing begins. And the straining takes a while to extract the thinner juice from the fibers. But by the time you're stirring coconut milk into this simple soup, you feel like the work for one spoonful is worth the effort.

Get the recipe: Saffron Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Bruschetta

An easy onion jam elevates this fall appetizer from Chef Jon Ashton. Chili powder gives the mashed butternut squash a hint of heat. It’s the perfect bite to serve while football watching, or during movie night.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Bruschetta

Related: Bruschetta 3 Different Ways!

Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies

<p>Mark Boughton Photography</p> — Mark Boughton Photography

Spend less time chopping and more time enjoying this sheet pan meal, thanks to frozen veggies and pre-cooked sausage tossed in a simple flavor-packed sauce. This Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies dinner is filled with no-fuss frozen ingredients like butternut squash, green beans, onion and chicken sausage seasoned with maple syrup and Dijon mustard.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies