17 Butternut Squash Recipes With Big Fall Flavor

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By Gina Matsoukas

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Butternut squash does far more than sit next to roasted vegetables on a plate. It blends into creamy soups, bakes into desserts, and anchors hearty mains with ease. These recipes cover everything from rich pasta dishes to spiced curries and even a sweet cake with a buttermilk glaze. They show how well this squash works with herbs, spices, cheese, and fruit.

side view of wild rice pilaf with pomegranate and butternut squash.
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

Butternut squash noodles with spinach, ricotta and garlic in a cast iron skillet.
Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spiralized butternut squash cooks quickly with garlic until tender, then gets tossed with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. Fresh ricotta and parmesan melt into the noodles, creating a one-pan meal that’s rich in flavor and texture and perfect for a cool evening.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air fryer butternut squash on a plate with a fork.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Halved butternut squash is scored and brushed with butter and simple seasonings before air frying until caramelized and tender. The heat concentrates the natural sweetness and allows every cut surface to soak up flavor, making a side dish that’s both rich and easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash Smoothie

A butternut squash smoothie with cinnamon and nutmeg on a wooden cutting board.
Butternut Squash Smoothie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Roasted butternut squash purée blends with strawberries, ginger and a touch of cardamom and cinnamon for a creamy smoothie with balanced sweetness and spice. The squash lends a velvety texture that makes this drink as satisfying as a snack or light breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Smoothie

Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip

Butternut squash goat cheese dip in a bowl with handles topped with cherry compote.
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Roasted butternut squash mixes with goat cheese and cream cheese to create a dip that is creamy and full-bodied. A tart cherry compote on top adds a bright contrast, and pita chips or crisp vegetables scoop it up perfectly for gatherings or a casual appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip

Butternut Squash Pita Nachos

A skillet filled with cranberry and ham quesadilla.
Butternut Squash Pita Nachos. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pita wedges bake until crisp, then get piled high with roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, pancetta and caramelized onions. The mix of savory and sweet toppings creates layers of flavor that hold up well for a hearty snack or a shared starter.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Pita Nachos

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Two bowls of pasta with mushrooms and a tomato-based sauce, garnished with grated cheese and sage leaves, placed on a wooden table with a fork and a glass of red wine.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Butternut squash purée blends into a smooth sauce enriched with garlic and a hint of cream. Caramelized mushrooms and fresh sage finish the dish, giving the pasta deep flavor and a silky coating that clings to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table.
Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butternut squash simmers with aromatics until soft, then is blended into a silky soup seasoned with herbs and spices. Homemade dumplings drop right into the pot, cooking until fluffy and tender, turning this soup into a complete and comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

A bowl of butternut squash soup with a spoon on a colorful blue and white plate.
Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted butternut squash and crisp apples blend into a creamy base with turmeric and a splash of apple cider vinegar. The soup balances natural sweetness with gentle acidity, creating a layered flavor that feels rich without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

A plate of stuffed pasta, possibly ravioli or pierogi, garnished with herbs.
Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

A lightly spiced butternut squash filling is folded into thin sheets of fresh pasta and sealed into soft pillows. The ravioli cooks quickly and can be finished with browned butter, sage or a light cream sauce for a restaurant-style dish at home.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Side view of wild rice pilaf with pomegranate and butternut squash.
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cubes of butternut squash roast until golden and then are mixed with nutty wild rice, onions and herbs. The grains absorb the sweetness of the squash while toasted nuts or dried fruit can add texture, making this a filling side or vegetarian main dish.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze

A slice of fruit cake on a white plate, showing a golden crust with visible fruit pieces and a glossy glaze on top. A fork is placed in front of the cake.
Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Grated apple and mashed butternut squash bake into a moist cake infused with cinnamon and nutmeg. A warm buttermilk glaze soaks into the surface, creating a glossy finish and sealing in moisture for a dessert that tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bite-size pieces of butternut squash and cauliflower roast together with red onion until tender and caramelized. Crisp bacon and wilted spinach are folded in before serving, and a quick homemade dressing with a spoonful of sour cream adds rich flavor.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry

A close-up of a fork holding a bite of cooked squash, spinach, and rice with more squash and rice in the background.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry. Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

Butternut squash cubes pressure cook with coconut milk, ginger, garlic and a blend of spices until they’re infused with deep flavor. The pressure cooker keeps the squash tender while letting the spices fully develop, creating a fragrant curry that can be served with rice or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry

Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

Bowl of noodle soup with chopped herbs and vegetables, topped with bits of what appears to be bacon, and wooden chopsticks resting in the bowl.
Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

This soup starts with a coconut milk and vegetable broth base seasoned with ginger, garlic and curry paste. Roasted butternut squash and noodles soak up the aromatic broth, resulting in a dish that’s creamy, gently spiced and filling enough for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese and herbs in a square dish, with a wooden spoon inside, next to a small plate holding a single serving.
Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

Roasted butternut squash is layered with a creamy cheese sauce and baked until the top is bubbling and golden. The squash becomes tender and rich while the cheese forms a crust that locks in flavor, creating a side dish that feels hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole

Apple & Butternut Squash Galette

A rustic, round pie with a golden-brown crust is sliced, with glossy caramel or syrup drizzled on top and some sauce splatters nearby.
Apple & Butternut Squash Galette. Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

Thin slices of apple and roasted butternut squash are arranged on a buckwheat crust flavored with chai spices. After baking, a drizzle of coconut caramel adds sweetness that complements the earthy squash and fragrant spices.
Get the Recipe: Apple & Butternut Squash Galette

Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles

A wooden cutting board with cheese, herbs and a pumpkin.
Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cubes of butternut squash are quick-pickled in a brine infused with warm spices, garlic and vinegar. The process gives the squash a sweet-sour flavor and a crisp bite, making these pickles a striking addition to cheese boards or charcuterie spreads.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles

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