17 Butternut Squash Recipes That Go Beyond Soup!

Most butternut squash recipes seem to start and end with soup. And hey, I love a good bowl as much as anyone, but I promise it can do so much more than get blended up. In fact, I love it so much that I wrote an entire cookbook about it, Smitten with Squash, back in 2013. Here in Wisconsin, our growing season is short, but winter squash keeps for months. And because it’s so versatile, it ends up in a lot of our meals once the cold sets in.

Cut it like this to avoid the emergency room:

First, you need to have a sharp knife. If it hasn’t been sharpened in over a year, don’t even try and think about cutting open a butternut squash. Go get it sharpened! Okay, now you’ll cut it horizontally where the skinny neck meets the round bottom, so you’ve created two steady pieces with flat bottoms instead of one wobbly one.

And don’t mess around with peeling it. Use your same knife to cut the skin off lengthwise instead – it’s so much faster.

Now you’re ready!

Here are 17 butternut squash recipes that have become my favorites over the years. You’ll find a cheesy, savory casserole for your Thanksgiving table, a creamy bacon orzo for busy weeknights, colorful sides and salads, and even a pie I’d argue beats pumpkin.

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1

Wild Rice & Butternut Squash Salad

Nutty wild rice, roasted squash, and dried cherries: this salad is basically a love letter to Minnesota in the fall. I toss everything together while the rice is still warm, so the spinach wilts just a little and the maple balsamic dressing (with garlic and rosemary!) soaks into every bite. You can make it a day ahead, which makes it perfect for potlucks and holiday tables.

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2

Savory Butternut Squash Casserole with Gruyere

Bubbling cream, nutty Gruyère, and a buttery breadcrumb crunch make this savory butternut squash casserole one of my family's favorite side dishes. The squash and shallots get a head start roasting, then garlic and thin ribbons of kale join them in the same pan to finish baking away until golden brown. Gosh, it's creamy, cozy, and so good!

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3

Cheesy Bacon and Butternut Squash Orzo

I skip the oven completely here and cook the squash right in the bacon fat, so every cube soaks up that smoky flavor. Then in goes the orzo, lots of garlic, and melty Gouda, with lemon, peppery arugula, and fresh basil to keep it bright. Dinner in about 30 minutes, and you'll want to lick the spoon.

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4

Butternut Squash Pie with Candied Pecans

I'll say it: squash makes a better pie than pumpkin. It's richer and creamier, and this one is adapted from my favorite baking recipe in my cookbook, Smitten with Squash. The oat crust gets pressed right into the pan (no rolling!), and the brown sugar candied pecans on top… trust me, make a double batch.

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5

Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash (side dish!)

Real talk: I'm usually not a fan of orange in savory dishes, but this buttery honey-orange glaze changed my mind. The idea hit me while I was snacking on peppery pecans on the drive home from the farmers market. Caramelized squash, Brussels sprouts seared until they're a little charred, and those pecans on top. Sweet, savory, and so good.

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6

Garlic Herb Air Fryer Butternut Squash

I'm always a little late to the party on new kitchen gadgets, but crispy-edged, tender squash in about 20 minutes? Okay, air fryer, you win. My secret is dried herbs instead of fresh, since fresh ones burn in that high heat. Make extra and toss the leftovers into tacos or salads all week.

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7

Roasted Butternut Squash with Jammy Tomatoes & Yogurt Sauce

Tomatoes and butternut squash? I know, not the usual pairing. It started with a can of whole tomatoes in my pantry and a squash sitting on my counter. Sweet roasted squash, jammy tomatoes, and a tangy cardamom yogurt sauce, and one bite had me smitten all over again.

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8

Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna

Creamy, rich, and delicious — this roasted butternut squash lasagna recipe is so easy and so good. The secret? No-boil lasagna noodles. Loved by carnivores and vegetarians alike. I promise it will steal the show!

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9

Sheet Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque

Okay, I know I said beyond soup. But this is the one I make every single fall on the first freeze so it gets a spot! No peeling needed: the squash roasts on a sheet pan with onion and garlic until caramelized, then gets blended with fresh ginger, a touch of maple, and cream. Grab some sourdough for dunking.

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10

savory butternut squash pancakes with brown butter

Pancakes for dinner! Squash pancakes go savory like a dream with parmesan, crispy sage and brown butter.

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11

30-Minute Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

Each bite is filled with tender, slightly sweet butternut squash, delicious black beans, crave-able tortilla strips, and layers of melted cheese. This vegetarian enchilada skillet is the perfect meal when you’re craving enchiladas but don’t feel like doing all the rolling.

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12

Maple Butternut Squash Panna Cotta

With anything creamy and spoonable, the first bite is always the dreamiest, and this one doesn't disappoint. Roasted squash, maple syrup, cream, and a little buttermilk turn into silky little pots with the perfect gentle wobble, finished with crushed gingersnaps on top. They keep in the fridge for up to three days, so dessert is done before anyone even walks in the door.

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13

Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage, Thyme, and Sage

What can be better than potato gnocchi smothered in a flavorful butternut squash sauce?! creamy sauce that is incredibly easy to make? Made with spicy Italian sausage, fresh sage, and thyme. This incredibly easy recipe comes together in just 40 minutes. It's a delicious Autumn comfort food that will make any cold evening warm and cozy.

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14

Butternut Squash & Proscuitto Pizza

With butternut squash, caramelized onions, apples, mozzarella, prosciutto, pepitas and sage, this butternut squash pizza tastes like fall. Cheesy and delicious!

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15

Fluffy Butternut Squash Biscuits

These fluffy butternut squash biscuits are a Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit copycat with a tasty twist! They’re soft, flavorful, and impossible to resist. I think I’ll be skipping the dinner rolls this Thanksgiving and making a double batch of these.

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16

Creamy Butternut Squash Polenta

Tested and perfected! This creamy butternut squash polenta makes a comforting side dish to any sauce-laden winter roast or stew. The recipe calls for 12 ounces of puréed butternut squash. You can often find it ready to use in the freezer section of the supermarket. However, sometimes grocery stores only carry cubed frozen squash (as pictured above). In that case, simply thaw the squash and give it a whirl in a food processor or blender.

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17

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

This roasted butternut squash mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and topped with toasted breadcrumbs for the perfect cozy fall meal. It's made with roasted butternut squash, fresh sage, and a mixture of cheeses for the perfect cozy fall meal! Similar flavor to the frozen Trader Joe's version, but this homemade take is 100x's better!

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