The Golden Ina Garten Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Butternut squash transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with its velvety texture and rich, sweet essence.

This golden vegetable brings warmth and depth to seasonal cooking, offering a delightful canvas for simple seasonings.

Robust and hearty, butternut squash invites creative kitchen experiments that delight the senses.

Its smooth, creamy interior promises comfort and satisfaction with every bite.

Home cooks appreciate its versatility and nutritional profile, making it a superb ingredient for countless dishes.

Rustic preparations highlight the squash’s natural sweetness and elegant character.

Bold flavors emerge when minimal ingredients are combined with careful technique.

You’ll fall in love with this culinary gem that transforms meals from mundane to magnificent:

Why Roasted Butternut Squash Feels Like Fall

• Unlock Flavor Explosion: Roasting butternut squash at high heat caramelizes natural sugars, creating deep, rich flavors that transform this humble vegetable into a spectacular side dish.
• Simplicity Meets Elegance: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels who want a gourmet-style vegetable preparation without complex techniques.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: From start to finish, this dish takes just 30-40 minutes, providing a delicious, nutritious vegetable side that fits perfectly into busy family meal schedules without sacrificing taste or quality.
• Versatile Culinary Canvas: Roasted butternut squash pairs beautifully with multiple proteins like chicken, beef, or fish, and can be easily customized with different herbs or spices to match various cuisine styles and personal preferences.

These Ingredients Make Every Slice Shine

Main Ingredients:

Butternut Squash: A sweet, nutty winter squash that roasts beautifully and offers rich, caramelized flavor when cooked at high temperatures. Choose a firm squash with no soft spots or blemishes.

Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior and ensures even roasting of the squash. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavor and health benefits.

Seasoning Group:

Thyme, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Classic herb and spice combination that enhances the natural sweetness of butternut squash. Fresh thyme offers more intense flavor compared to dried herbs. Kosher salt provides better texture and more controlled seasoning than table salt.

Roast It Right for That Sweet Caramel Edge

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 400°F or 200°C, creating the perfect roasting environment for your butternut squash.

Step 2: Slice And Dice The Squash

Carefully cut the butternut squash into bite-sized cubes, aiming for uniform pieces that will cook evenly and look gorgeous on the plate.

Step 3: Prepare The Baking Surface

Grab a spacious baking sheet and spread parchment paper or lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Flavor Explosion

• Fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Olive oil

Step 5: Coat And Toss

Pour olive oil over the squash cubes, then sprinkle the herbs and spices. Use your hands to massage the seasonings, ensuring every piece gets a luxurious coating.

Step 6: Create Roasting Perfection

Arrange the seasoned squash in a single layer, giving each piece breathing room. This helps create crispy edges and tender centers.

Step 7: Roast To Deliciousness

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through for even caramelization.

Step 8: Final Check And Serve

Remove from the oven when the squash is golden brown and fork-tender. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately while warm and inviting.

Tips for Even Roasting Without Burn

• Slice Precisely: Cut butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes to guarantee consistent caramelization and perfectly roasted texture.
• Herb It Up: Opt for fresh thyme leaves to infuse the squash with a more vibrant, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Spread Out Strategically: Give each squash piece breathing room on the sheet pan, preventing steaming and promoting delicious, crispy edges.
• Midway Flip Magic: Gently turn the squash halfway through roasting to achieve beautiful, golden-brown coloration on all sides.
• Taste and Triumph: Sample the roasted squash after cooking and adjust seasoning to highlight its natural sweetness and maximize flavor potential.

Store and Reheat for Weeknight Warmth

• Preserve Freshness: Spread roasted butternut squash in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then freeze until solid. Transfer frozen pieces to a vacuum-sealed bag to lock in flavor and prevent freezer burn. These pre-portioned cubes make quick meal prep a breeze.
• Long-Term Storage: Pack cooled roasted squash in airtight glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Label each container with the date and contents. Refrigerated squash maintains optimal taste and texture for up to 4 days, perfect for quick lunches or side dishes.
• Quick Reheating: Revive chilled squash by placing portions in a skillet with a splash of olive oil. Warm over medium heat, stirring gently to restore crispy edges and enhance caramelized flavors. This method prevents sogginess and brings back the original roasted texture.

Ways to Dress It Up With Sage or Spice

• Mediterranean Magic: Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh rosemary to the roasted butternut squash for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Sprinkle ground cumin, chili powder, and paprika over the squash before roasting, then garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a vibrant southwestern taste.
• Honey Maple Glaze: Drizzle a mixture of honey and maple syrup over the squash during the last 10 minutes of roasting, creating a caramelized sweet coating that enhances the natural sweetness of the butternut squash.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped pecans over the roasted squash just before serving, adding a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the dish.

The Last Bite That Brings You Back to Autumn

Roasted butternut squash emerges as culinary poetry from Ina Garten’s kitchen wisdom.

Mediterranean-inspired herbs whisper subtle complexity across golden caramelized edges.

Rich amber cubes promise sensory delight with each carefully seasoned morsel.

Simple ingredients dance through high-temperature transformation, revealing unexpected depth and nuance.

Elegant preparation highlights natural butternut sweetness without overwhelming delicate flavors.

Passionate cooks and curious palates will discover sublime comfort through this uncomplicated recipe – share your roasted masterpiece, spark conversations, inspire kitchen creativity, and connect through delicious memories.

Ina Garten Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s roasted butternut squash brings Mediterranean warmth to autumn tables with its golden caramelized edges and rich herbal essence. Simple olive oil, fresh thyme, and sea salt elevate this elegant side dish that promises comfort and rustic elegance for seasonal gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 large (4-pound/1.8 kg) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and 1-inch-diced

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves

Cooking Liquid:

• 3 tablespoons good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to a robust 400°F / 200°C, positioning the rack in the middle for optimal roasting conditions.
2. Transform the butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking and appealing presentation.
3. Select a spacious baking sheet and arrange the squash cubes with deliberate spacing, preventing overcrowding that might lead to steaming instead of caramelizing.
4. Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil across the squash, creating a light but thorough coating that will promote golden browning and enhance natural sweetness.
5. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper across the cubes, using your hands to massage the seasonings thoroughly and guarantee comprehensive flavor distribution.
6. Distribute the seasoned cubes in a precise single layer, allowing each piece maximum exposure to the oven’s intense heat for perfect roasting.
7. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating the sheet midway to ensure uniform caramelization and prevent potential burning.
8. Verify doneness by piercing a cube with a fork – it should yield easily and display a rich, golden-brown exterior with crisp edges.
9. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing residual heat to complete the cooking process and intensify flavors.

Notes

• Roast squash on high heat to develop deep caramelized edges that create incredible depth of flavor.
• Let thyme sprigs mingle directly with squash chunks for maximum herb-infused taste throughout the dish.
• Drizzle olive oil generously to help vegetables achieve a gorgeous golden-brown exterior while keeping interiors tender.
• Arrange cubes with enough spacing between them to prevent steaming and encourage crispy, concentrated roasted texture.
• Finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after removing from oven to elevate the natural sweetness of butternut squash.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 158
• Sugar: 3.7g
• Sodium: 106mg
• Fat: 9.2g
• Saturated Fat: 1.3g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fiber: 6.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg