I'm Going Butter-Nuts Over These 23 Fall Squash Recipes
It’s officially fall again, and I couldn’t be more excited. Of all the fall favorites, from foliage tours, to sweater weather, and scary movies, there is hardly anything as ubiquitous to fall as squash. With plenty of options to choose from—think butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata, and pumpkins—squash is one of the most versatile veggies (or fruits depending on who you ask).
Whether you are visiting a pumpkin patch to find the perfect future jack-o'-lantern or stacking mini multi-colored gourds for the Thanksgiving cornucopia, squash stays front and center of decorations and delicacies all fall long.
For this list, I am focusing in on just our best fall squash dinners and sides—if you’re looking for desserts, we have a whole separate list dedicated to our best pumpkin desserts. Here you’ll find everything from soups perfect for a cold day like our pumpkin soup or our butternut squash soup, to pasta dinners like our creamy pumpkin gnocchi with Italian sausage, our chicken Alfredo spaghetti squash, or our butternut squash mac & cheese, and everything in between.
This collection has just what you need to spark squash success this fall, but don’t just take my word for it. Settle down in a cozy blanket and check out the list below!
Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash
No matter what the centerpiece of your meal is, this cheesy squash skillet is sure to steal the show. The balance of sweet, salty, and creamy is to-die-for. The slightly sweet and nutty flavor of the roasted butternut squash pairs perfectly with the warm, meaty bacon, which in turn is balanced out with a creamy shredded mozzarella blanket.
Get the Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash recipe.
Pumpkin Empanadas
These pumpkin empanadas boast a flaky, buttery crust and a jammy, spiced pumpkin filling, making these bite-sized beauties a serious contender on any holiday table. They may be small, but they pack BIG pumpkin flavor.
Get the Pumpkin Empanadas recipe.
Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Whether you're trying to go low-carb or simply love cooking spaghetti squash, this chicken Alfredo spaghetti squash recipe is a worthwhile weeknight chicken dinner you should add to your rotation. We love stuffing spaghetti squash with countless fillings, but when we're craving pasta, this is our go-to recipe.
Get the Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Butternut Squash Ravioli
If you're looking for the coziest fall dinner, look no further than this butternut squash ravioli. With a creamy butternut squash filling and a brown butter sauce, this ravioli is the perfect solution when you're in need of a comforting dinner that will truly wow.
Get the Butternut Squash Ravioli recipe.
Kabocha Squash
Kabocha Squash is an unsung hero of the autumn harvest. Sure people love apples, pumpkin and butternut squash, but kabocha has a more complex flavor than its gourd cousins. It is more savory and nutty than butternut squash. This makes it a perfect match for the caramelized umami-sweet flavor of this maple-soy brown butter.
Get the Kabocha Squash recipe.
Butternut Squash Steaks
If you're tired of cauliflower steaks, then you should turn to butternut squash. It's a great plant-based ingredient because its texture is quite meaty yet tender, and it works with a variety of seasonings and recipes. Butternut squash has a sweet, mellow flavor that works perfectly in so many different ways, whether blended into a soup or roasted in planks, like this recipe.
Get the Butternut Squash Steaks recipe.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Looking for a way to use up all those leftover pumpkin seeds? My go-to solution is always to season + roast. These roasted pumpkin seeds are the perfect healthy snack, so easy to make, and completely versatile based on how you want to season them (sweet, savory, spicy... everything is fair game here).
Get the Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
I didn’t think I could love mac & cheese any more…until now. In this recipe, butternut squash lends a sweetness and added richness to the classic creamy sauce, giving an elevated, fall twist to this staple meal. A little thyme does some heavy lifting too, making the homey comfort food classic a little fancy.
Get the Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese recipe.
Pumpkin Carbonara
Classic spaghetti carbonara gets a seasonal twist in this recipe with the addition of fall’s flavor superstar: pumpkin. Adding pumpkin puree gives a creamy, silky, and subtly sweet boost to the otherwise simple sauce. Paired with bacon and plenty of Parmesan, this under-an-hour pasta dinner is one of our top savory pumpkin recipes of all time.
Get the Pumpkin Carbonara recipe.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
All our favorite fall flavors come together in this surprisingly easy and super flavorful stuffed acorn squash. The Tuscan kale adds a heartiness that only a good cruciferous green can provide that, when paired with the tender, sweet flesh of the acorn squash can't be overlooked!
Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.
Pumpkin Risotto
This risotto alla zucca contains pumpkin, sage, ricotta salata, and nutmeg for a truly delicious fall dinner. While we love incorporating pumpkin in countless savory recipes, this is the creamy fall dinner we turn to when we’re craving something extra-special and comforting.
Get the Pumpkin Risotto recipe.
Creamy Pumpkin & Parmesan Chicken Skillet
It can feel challenging to find new ways to cook chicken. Sure, a roast chicken is a crowd-pleaser and chicken cutlets hit the spot, but sometimes you want an extra intense hit of flavor and a method that changes it up. Enter this creamy pumpkin & Parmesan chicken skillet, a one-pan dish that bathes chicken breasts in a garlicky pumpkin cream sauce.
Get the Creamy Pumpkin & Parmesan Chicken Skillet recipe.
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
Whether you're following a low-carb diet, looking for pasta alternatives, or simply love squash, spaghetti squash is a dinnertime superhero. It’s so simple to make, and once you’ve got the method down, there are countless ways to incorporate it into your favorite recipes.
Get the How To Cook Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Butternut Squash Soup
As far as cozy, hearty fall soups go, butternut squash soup is the go-to choice in our book. The sweet and slightly earthy flavor that comes from a butternut squash makes it our ideal choice when it comes to whipping up a warming bowl of fall goodness. The added creaminess from the blended potatoes plus the savory herbs make this a welcome addition to any fall dinner.
Get the Butternut Squash Soup recipe.
Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi With Italian Sausage
For this savory pumpkin gnocchi dish, we use pumpkin puree to build a sauce that has a touch of tomato and is similar to a marinara in texture. Just like with butternut squash or sweet potatoes, pumpkin pairs beautifully with sage and sausage, so they were natural additions to the gnocchi and sauce.
Get the Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi With Italian Sausage recipe.
Italian Spaghetti Squash
Just like our classic stuffed peppers, stuffed spaghetti squash is one of our go-to dinners when we’re looking for something hearty, flavorful, and completely versatile. Stuffed with crumbled Italian sausage, melty cheese, and a little tomato sauce, this squash has all the flavors we want in an Italian dinner.
Get the Italian Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
The seasons are changing, the air is crisp, and cozy dishes are the name of the game. But autumn and winter are also when some of the most delicious vegetables are in season. In this dish crisp, anise-y fennel, sweet delicata squash and tart apples find themselves together.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin may very well be the most iconic and versatile fall ingredient. I love it in quick breads, pie (of course!), and so much more. But of all of these pumpkin-powered delicacies, nothing goes the distance all fall and winter long quite like pumpkin soup.
Get the Pumpkin Soup recipe.
How To Cook Acorn Squash
When it comes to cold weather squash, butternut squash and pumpkin can get all the attention. While we have plenty of love for all the types of squash, we think that acorn squash deserves its chance in the spotlight. Full of fiber, this squash is not only packed with nutrients, but can be dressed up savory or sweet.
Get the How To Cook Acorn Squash recipe.
Roasted Delicata Squash
When it comes to fall squash, butternut squash can often get all the attention. Here at Delish, we think that delicata squash is the underrated variety that deserves the spotlight on your fall dinner plate. Its small size makes it much easier to handle than other types of squashes, and it cooks much faster. When roasted, the squash gets creamy and sweet, and takes to sweet and savory flavors.
Get the Roasted Delicata Squash recipe.
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Few vegetarian dishes are as easy and filling as air fryer acorn squash with black beans, corn, and cheese. All you need to do is roast the squash halves, stir together a quick burrito-inspired filling, and bake it until the cheese is bubbling. You can eat these Tex Mex-inspired stuffed squash alongside grilled steak or roasted chicken, but they make a pretty nice vegetarian main, too.
Get the Air Fryer Acorn Squash recipe.
Pumpkin Curry
In the kitchen, pumpkin is often only used in pies or in soups; however, this curry recipe is here to change your mind about the iconic orange gourd. The earthy, sweet vegetable is the perfect base for a spicy, Thai-inspired coconut curry with bell pepper, bird's eye chilis, shallot and bamboo shoots.
Get the Pumpkin Curry recipe.
Pumpkin Purée
Pumpkin purée is basically a smooth, creamy mash of cooked pumpkin. Our version here is plain, but you can season it with as much butter and flavor as you'd like! Pumpkin purée is a vital ingredient to pumpkin pie, our pumpkin carbonara, pumpkin bread, or any number of other recipes.
Get the Pumpkin Purée recipe.
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