Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own squash from our friends at Gardeners’ World.
When is butternut squash in season?
Butternut squash is one of the most versatile autumn veg and is in season from September through to Christmas.
Do you need to peel butternut squash?
You don’t need to peel squash – the skin is edible and delicious when roasted but if you are making a mash, soup or adding to a stew it’s best to peel it first. The easiest way is to use a ‘Y’ shaped potato peeler and peel the squash while it is still whole.
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How do you prepare butternut squash?
To chop squash you will need a large heavy knife and a secure chopping board (put a damp cloth underneath to steady it). Cut off the slimmer top section then cut the bottom bulbous part in half and scoop out the seeds. You can now cut the squash into the size chunks you need.
How do you cook butternut squash?
Squash can be cooked in loads of different ways. Toss chunks in olive oil and roast, bake slices into a creamy gratin, simmer in stock and whizz to a silky smooth soup or stuff halves and roast for a stunning veggie centrepiece. Check out one of our brilliant ideas below.
Butternut squash recipes
Butternut squash soup
Blend butternut squash with onion and garlic to make this warming veggie soup, finished with toasted seeds and a swirl of greek yogurt.
Creamy butternut squash pasta
Butternut squash takes centre stage in this creamy pasta dish. Just don’t rush the cooking and it will all pay off.
Butternut squash tart
Make a centrepiece squash tart with walnut pastry, creamy whipped feta and warming spices, perfect for entertaining this autumn.
Butternut squash risotto
Indulgent but easy enough for weeknights. This butternut squash risotto with sage will hit the spot when you need Italian comfort food. Ready in half an hour.
Butternut squash curry with chickpeas
This chickpea and squash coconut curry is a great healthy, vegetarian midweek meal. If you can get it, Alpro coconut milk alternative has less saturated fat and fewer calories than regular coconut milk as it's made with a rice milk base. Try our best vegetarian curry recipes here.
Baked baby pumpkin with red curry prawns
Substitute pumpkin for small butternut squashes in this brilliant gluten-free main. If using butternut squash, the cooking time might need to be adjusted.
Butternut squash mac and cheese
Cubes of roasted butternut squash are added to creamy macaroni cheese to make this autumnal twist on a comfort classic. It’s the pasta bakes of all pasta bakes.
Stuffed butternut squash
Transform butternut squash into a colourful, low-calorie midweek dinner by stuffing it with rice, lemon zest, raisins, dill, pine nuts and feta.
Butternut squash lasagne
This veggie butternut squash, spinach and mascarpone lasagne is a great veggie option. It's packed full of flavour and even meat-eaters won't be complaining
Butternut squash tagine
A great big, colourful bowl of butternut squash tagine makes a great vegan dinner midweek. Ours has sweet potato too, and is flavoured with rose harissa and preserved lemons.
Roasted butternut squash
Roast squash wedges in garlic and chilli then top with a herby homemade sage pesto for a vibrant autumnal side dish.
Vegan butternut squash pie
This warming spiced pie, made with a vegan pie crust, makes for a brilliant centrepiece that serves up to six.
Butternut squash salad
A healthy and satisfying vegetarian dinner of roasted butternut squash and lentils in a soy chilli dressing. Roasting the squash concentrates and sweetens the flavour.
Spicy butternut squash soup
This simple butternut squash soup is given a spicy kick with ginger, red chilli and garlic. It's full of flavour and makes for a budget-friendly lunch
Butternut squash curry
The butternut squash adds a lovely sweetness to this curry recipe. Sure to be a hit with the family, serve with rice, chapatis and a dollop of yogurt.
Chinese braised winter squash
Savoury fermented black beans complement the natural sweetness of the squash in this vegan winter squash recipe.
Cider cream-stuffed butternut squash
Check out our impressive butternut squash recipe with veggie stuffing and a side of crunchy kale. This veggie main becomes a real centrepiece when carved into slices at the table. Looking for vegetarian entertaining ideas? Try ours.
Smoky sausage and butternut lasagne
Jazz up this classic family recipe with herby sausages, smoky paprika and oozing mozzarella. Make this flavoursome lasagne for an easy midweek meal.
Spiced squash, spinach and lentil soup
A wholesome, nutritious soup packed with squash, puy lentils, bulgar wheat and plenty of cumin for kick.
Thai red curry squash soup
Try our Thai red curry-spiced butternut squash soup. Check the ingredients of the Thai red curry paste, as some brands contain dried shrimp. We have lots more comforting soup ideas to try, too.
Meatball and butternut squash traybake
Turn your sausages into meatballs and roast with bitesize pieces of squash and crisp sage for an all-in-one midweek meal.
Roast squash, feta and chard börek
Try our simple börek – or spiral pie recipe – with sweet butternut squash and crumbled feta wrapped in crispy filo pastry and sprinkled with za'atar.
Squash and coconut dal with jammy eggs and crispy onions
Liven up butternut squash and eggs with lightly toasted spices, coconut milk and crispy onions to make a vibrant vegetarian dal.
Baked chorizo and squash rice with manchego crust
Packed with crispy chorizo, the sweetness of butternut squash and a crunchy manchego crust, this low-calorie baked rice makes for a filling midweek meal.
Roast chicken with fregola, squash and sage
Check out our easy roast chicken recipe with crunchy sage and butternut squash. This recipe makes full use of the chicken roasting juices, which are soaked up by the fregola. If you can’t find fregola, substitute with giant couscous or a hearty grain such as pearled spelt or barley.
Hasselback squash with sesame-honey-sriracha
Check out this super easy roasted butternut squash with sriracha sauce. This hasselback recipe for butternut squash is a simple but great way to spice up your veggies, plus it's low in calories, too.
Squash toast with feta, sumac and poached egg
Try this squash toast with feta, sumac and poached egg for a quick and healthy, vegetarian brunch for one under 300 calories.
Butternut squash gratin
Check out our indulgent creamy butternut squash gratin recipe with sage. This veggie side dish is an easy alternative to potato gratin to serve with a hearty roast.
Gnocchi with squash, amaretti and rocket
Amaretti may seem like a strange addition to a savoury dish, but in this recipe for Gnocchi with squash, amaretti and rocket, the subtle, sweet crunch really works. It's vegetarian and ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for a midweek meal.
Kale and butternut squash salad
This kale salad with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate molasses and almonds is easy, ready in 35 minutes, vegetarian and, best of all, under 300 calories. It's so packed full of flavour from the sweet butternut squash and crunchy almonds though, that you'll forget you're being virtuous.
Squash, parmesan and sage galette
This butternut squash galette is a great, easy-to-make veggie option. Serve as a snack or a main with a green salad.
Squash and sweet potato loaf with chestnuts
Check out this vegan chestnut, squash and sweet potato loaf recipe. Precise layering makes this vegan main look really smart, but it’s actually easy to put together. This can be made the day before then heated through before serving.
Ginger-glazed squash with sesame
This Asian-inspired recipe for ginger-glazed squash with sesame is a great way to make everyday ingredients more exciting. It's packed full of delicious flavours but is under 300 calories and takes just 45 minutes.
Butternut and ricotta pasta with sage brown butter
Put your pasta making skills to the test and impress your guests with this low-calorie recipe for a herby butternut squash and ricotta vegetarian starter that’s taking over from cannelloni.
Roasted squash salad with sweet potato and grains
This is great Sunday night meal prep if you want to cook a batch for lunches during the week. Add crumbled feta or leftover chicken to change things up. Quick, healthy and super delicious.
Squash calzones with kale
Cook in advance and stash these moreish veggie calzones away for an easy midweek meal – simply cook from frozen.
Potato, squash and sage pie
This recipe for potato, squash and sage pie may take a little longer, but it's super easy and packed full of delicious flavours. It's a great option for a veggie Sunday meal.
Roasted squash and black bean tacos
These vegetarian roasted squash and black bean tacos make for a great, easy midweek meal. Roasting squash brings out its natural sweetness which balances nicely with the earthy beans.
Squash and pancetta squeak with poached eggs
Bubble and squeak is a classic way to use up your leftovers. We have a delicious squash and pancetta squeak that gives plenty of colour and flavour to your dish. Top with poached eggs for a delicious brunch or all-day breakfast idea.
Roasted butternut squash with goat’s cheese
We know you love this classic olive magazine recipe - it's been one of our most popular recipes for years! Butternut squash is a delicious vegetable to stuff with tomatoes, peppers, breadcrumbs and then top with cheese. The best part is getting it out of the oven, golden and bubbling.
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Butternut squash and gruyère pithivier
This pithivier is a vegetarian centrepiece to impress everyone. The butternut squash and gruyere make a deliciously rich filling for the golden puff pastry.
