Acorn squash is one of my squash favorite varieties to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. It’s sweet, rich in dietary fiber, and versatile! This list includes some of the best acorn squash recipes, from savory vegetarian mains and hearty vegetable side dishes to breakfast ideas and even sweet treats. I use several different preparation methods in these recipes, including roasting, blending, and even pressure cooking. Choose the perfect dish for everyday cooking or Thanksgiving and Christmas spreads! All of them are dietitian-curated, delicious, and nutritious.
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Dinners and Sides
1
Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
Oven roasted squash is seasoned with cinnamon and garlic powder then drizzled with melted butter and sage. It's a delicious fall dish that's simple yet elegant!
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 45 minutes
- My top tip: Baked acorn squash pairs is a perfect fall side dish. Make sure the slices are ½-inch thick, so they get creamy and lightly browned while roasting. Cutting them too thick prevents them from getting tender, and cutting them too thin may lead to burning.
- Reader review: “Absolutely delicious! Easy to do and looks as good as it tastes! My first fall squash dish of the year. My husband loved it which says a lot. Thank you Lizzie!”
2
Mashed Acorn Squash with Maple and Rosemary
This creamy, decadent mashed squash is sweetened with a touch of maple syrup and seasoned with rosemary, cinnamon, and ginger. It's a perfect vegetable side dish for Thanksgiving!
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 1 hour
- My top tip: Serve this for Thanksgiving, and it’s bound to receive rave reviews! It’s a good choice for holidays with guests who have different dietary needs, since it can easily be made vegan by using vegan butter and swapping coconut milk for half and half.
- Reader review: “Thank you for this delish recipe! I grew white acorn squash this year and needed a little variety in how I served it. This recipe was perfect! I didn’t have rosemary or garlic, but all the other spices made it perfect for fall.”
3
Acorn Squash Risotto with Rainbow Chard
A delicious winter squash risotto recipe with vibrant colors from tender acorn squash and rainbow chard stems and leaves.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- My top tip: Chard adds a great pop of color, but you can substitute spinach or fresh herbs if desired. Serve with pork tenderloin, pork chops, or baked fish for a cozy fall dinner.
4
Acorn Squash Salad
Roasted acorn squash is the star of this delicious salad, featuring tahini dressing, mixed greens, dried cherries, almonds, and goat cheese. It's the perfect vegetarian salad for fall or winter.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 50 minutes
- My top tip: Use ice cold water when thinning the dressing to make it smooth and fluffy. Prep the components in advance to save time for holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Reader review: “This salad was amazing and super easy to fix! My family loved it! Thank you for delicious recipes!!”
5
Lentil Stuffed Acorn Squash
These stuffed acorn squash boats are vegetarian and gluten-free! Serve them as a hearty main dish for a weeknight dinner or holiday spread.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 45 minutes
- My top tip: This recipe makes a wonderful vegetarian main course for meal prep or holiday meals (the cranberries make it festive too)! Prep the filling and squash in advance, store in separate containers in the fridge, and reheat just before serving. Wild rice or quinoa can be used in lieu of lentils.
- Reader review: “So delicious almost lost the this recipe, can see myself making this for a dish for my big family Christmas dinner! But just have to master it, and see how I would serve it.”
Breakfast and Baking Recipes
6
Acorn Squash Eggs-in-a-Hole with Sage Brown Butter
A simple yet gourmet-like breakfast recipe using a delicious combination of seasonal flavors.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 40 minutes
- My top tip: Cut the squash into 1-inch rings and not any thicker or else they will take too long to cook. Use thyme if you don’t have sage.
- Reader review: “This recipe was simple, delicious and beautiful. I need more recipes in my life that are this gratifying without all the time and effort. Thank you for sharing!”
7
Acorn Squash Bread with Apple Cider Glaze
This perfectly moist and sweet acorn squash bread is drizzled with a two-ingredient apple cider glaze. It's a perfect fall or winter dessert or snack.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- My top tip: Cut way back on prep time by roasting and pureeing the squash ahead of time. It will last for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Sub pecans in place of walnuts in the bread if desired.
Other Easy Ways to Cook and Prep It
8
Acorn Squash Puree
It's easy to make pureed acorn squash to use in recipes or as a baby food
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 55 minutes
- My top tip: This puree can be used for the above acorn squash bread recipe or mixed into oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt. It’s also an excellent baby food! I like to use it in place of canned pumpkin puree in soups, chili, and muffins.
9
Instant Pot Acorn Squash
Learn how to make perfectly tender acorn squash in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
Check out this recipe
- Total time: 27 minutes
- My top tip: Cooking squash in a pressure cooker is a great time-saver! I love serving this brushed with butter or olive oil and dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar as an easy side dish. It’s also delicious with the stuffing from the above lentil stuffed acorn squash recipe.
- Reader review: “Perfectly done at 7 minutes. This was my first time using the ip for an acorn squash. Easy! Thank you!”
Tips for Cooking With Acorn Squash
- Cut it safely. Use a sharp knife, and cut the squash on a level surface. I usually trim off the stem so that it can lay flat on a cutting board (cut/stem side down). Then, I make a slice with my knife on the tip of the bottom that’s facing up and gently rock it back and forth to cut the squash lengthwise into two halves.
- Eat the skin, if you want! Cooked acorn squash skin is edible and contains fiber and other nutrients. It’s a little thicker than varieties like delicata squash, but many people enjoy it once it softens after roasting.
- Roast cut halves cut side down. This traps steam while cooking so that the flesh gets tender, prevents drying out, and also caramelizes the surface of the cut sides since they push up against the baking sheet.
More Winter Squash Recipes
- Sautéed Delicata Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Stir Fry with Broccoli and Edamame
- Carnival Squash Stuffed with Sausage and Produce
- Healthy Butternut Squash Muffins (Low Sugar)
- Butternut Squash Gratin
- Kabocha Squash Soup with Coconut Milk and Apple Cider
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