Description
This butternut squash bake easy holiday side recipe combines naturally sweet butternut squash with savory herbs, creating a perfect balance that makes it an instant crowd-pleaser. It's easy to prepare, can be made ahead of time, and adapts to various dietary needs, making it a cherished family tradition.
Ingredients
3 pounds Butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons Olive oil, extra virgin preferred
2 tablespoons Maple syrup, pure
1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons Fresh sage, chopped
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Salt, kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, optional for topping
1/2 cup Pecans, chopped, optional for crunch
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil
- Step 2: Place cubed butternut squash in a large mixing bowl
- Step 3: Drizzle olive oil and maple syrup over the squash cubes. Add thyme, sage, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together thoroughly
- Step 4: Transfer the seasoned squash to your prepared baking dish, spreading it into a single, even layer
- Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the squash is fork-tender and has golden, caramelized edges
- Step 6: If using Parmesan cheese and pecans, sprinkle them over the top during the final 10 minutes of baking
- Step 7: Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving
Notes
For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use nutritional yeast.
You can prep this dish up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg