25+ Winter Squash Recipes Perfect for Chilly Days
I love it when the trees start to change color in the fall, but fall produce is just as beautiful–particularly winter squash. These winter squash recipes will bring vibrant colors and rich, cozy flavors to your table. Whether you’re a fan of classic butternut, sweet acorn, or spaghetti squash, there are so many ways to enjoy these delicious veggies.
So, make the most of your winter squash and explore the recipes perfect for chilly days and comforting meals!
Easy Butternut Squash Baked Donut Recipe
These donuts combine the rich, nutty flavor of butternut squash with the classic taste of a donut. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just like to have fun in the kitchen, this recipe yields a delicious result without any fuss.
Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili with Beer
This vegetarian butternut squash chili with beer brings together the cozy flavors of fall. The sweet butternut squash balances nicely with the chili powder’s mild heat and the beer’s rich taste. Plus, it’s easy to tweak and adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Mashed Butternut Squash
Are you stuck in a side dish rut? This Mashed Butternut Squash will add some excitement to your meal! It’s smooth and creamy, with a tasty blend of garlic and fresh chives. With just four simple ingredients, it’s ready in 30 minutes!
Vegan Sausage Sheet Pan
This Vegan Sausage Sheet Pan with Trader Joe’s Kale Gnocchi and Delicata Squash is simple to make. It uses tasty ingredients like Trader Joe’s kale gnocchi, Beyond Meat Italian Sausage, Delicata squash, and basics like garlic and onions. You can also make it ahead on Sunday and enjoy it for lunch all week. It reheats well and looks festive enough to serve as a vegan side dish or low-carb stuffing for Thanksgiving.
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter Sauce
What I love most about this recipe, besides that it only takes about 20 minutes to make, is that it tastes like homemade pasta from a restaurant.
Butternut Squash Noodles With Spaghetti and Sausage
Butternut squash noodles are mixed with tender pasta, kale, sage, and plant-based Italian sausage. Everything is combined with a simple white wine sauce. This tasty and easy dinner can be made gluten-free and is ready in just 30 minutes!
Butternut Squash Spinach Salad
This Butternut Squash Spinach Salad, with earthy lentils, pumpkin seeds, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette, is tasty as a full meal or a holiday appetizer. It’s simple to make, and you can prepare the ingredients beforehand.
Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta
Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta is a tasty addition to your Fall or Winter menu. This recipe combines the best Fall flavors in a dish that’s beautiful to look and delicious to eat.
Butternut Squash Casserole with Butter Pecan Topping
Butternut Squash Casserole with Butter Pecan Topping is a beautiful dish for your holiday table! The butternut squash is roasted whole (no need to chop or peel), then mashed and topped with a sweet, buttery pecan topping. You can make it a day ahead and bake it when you’re ready.
Creamy Mashed Potato Squash Recipe
Make this cheesy, creamy Mashed Potato Squash as a lighter option instead of traditional mashed potatoes. The potato-like winter squash is roasted until tender, mixed with cream cheese and butter, then mashed until it’s silky smooth.
Butternut Squash Alfredo Sauce
Creamy butternut squash Alfredo sauce has all the cheesy goodness you expect from Alfredo but with a lighter twist. The butternut squash adds a nice color and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that makes it even more delicious.
Acorn Squash Soup (Instant Pot Recipe)
Our acorn squash soup Instant Pot recipe is perfect for a healthy and cozy dinner tonight! This soup is made with apples, squash, warm spices, and heavy cream and has a delicious mix of savory and sweet flavors. Its rich, creamy texture will have everyone asking for seconds!
Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
This creamy, dairy-free roasted acorn squash soup is full of unique sweet and savory flavors—it’s so good it tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant.
Butternut Squash Chili
This Butternut Squash Chili is a perfect easy dinner for cool fall and winter nights. Bring the family together and enjoy a warm, hearty, and healthy meal with this delicious dish.
Butternut Squash Roasted Halves
This roasted cinnamon sugar squash recipe is inspired by my mom’s favorite side dish from when I was growing up. She made sure we ate our veggies by adding lots of delicious toppings. You can use a different type of squash if you like. Just make sure to keep those tasty toppings!
Creamed Spinach Stuffed Butternut Squash
Cheesy creamed spinach stuffed butternut squash is a tasty side dish or a great vegetarian main. It’s creamy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible.
Butternut Squash Muffins
Looking for an easy and healthy muffin recipe? Butternut Squash Muffins are perfect for you. You can make a batch in just 30 minutes and freeze them for quick breakfasts, brunches, or lunch on the go.
Stuffed Gem Squash
These quinoa stuffed gem squash with cream cheese and herbs are an easy vegetarian dinner or a great side dish. The stuffing is gooey from the cheese and full of flavor from the herbs. I think they’re perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!
Roasted Butternut Squash and Cauliflower Soup
Warm up with this roasted butternut squash and cauliflower soup. It’s creamy and nourishing, with rustic flavors that will satisfy all your cozy cravings. This velvety vegan soup is perfect for a comforting meal.
Healthy Fall Harvest Pasta Salad
This healthy fall harvest pasta salad is simple to make and filled with your favorite fall vegetables! I love how easy and flexible this dish is. You can toss in any veggies you have left over before the end of the week!
Butternut Squash Stuffing
This butternut squash stuffing is a tasty mix of tender butternut squash, Italian sausage, crispy bread, and a blend of fall herbs and spices.
Butternut Squash Quiche with Caramelized Onions
This vegetarian butternut squash quiche is filled with caramelized onions and goat cheese. It’s easy to make ahead and perfect for brunch!
Acorn Squash Soup
One of the best things about fall is all the great seasonal soups, and this roasted acorn squash soup is one of them. It’s creamy with just a little kick to keep it interesting.
Roasted Acorn Squash
Perfect Roasted Acorn Squash is super easy to make! It’s buttery, tender, and sweet, making it the best side dish for the cooler fall and winter months.
Fall Harvest Butternut Squash Casserole
This is a dump-and-bake recipe you’ll want to make this fall. It’s perfect as a cozy main dish any night of the week or as a fun holiday dish for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. This casserole is packed with delicious ingredients like roasted veggies, farro, dried cranberries, and more.
Butternut Squash Crostini with Goat Cheese and Fig Glaze
A crunchy garlic baguette topped with creamy goat cheese and roasted butternuts is drizzled with balsamic fig glaze and garnished with crispy fried sage. It’s so good!
Kabocha Squash Cake with Chai Caramel
Kabocha Squash Cake with Chai Caramel is a healthier, warmly-spiced dessert. It’s gluten-free and refined sugar-free, mostly sweetened naturally with kabocha squash!
Spaghetti Squash Bolognese
Spaghetti squash bolognese is hearty comfort food at its best. A rich and flavorful meat sauce pairs perfectly with spaghetti squash for a healthier version of this classic Italian dish.
Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
This sausage stuffed acorn squash recipe blends savory sausage, rice, and vegetables in tender roasted squash for a comforting and delicious meal.
FAQs
Winter squash can be tough to peel, so I recommend microwaving it for a minute or two to soften the skin. Then, use a sharp knife to cut off the ends and slice it in half carefully. A sturdy vegetable peeler works well to remove the skin, or you can roast it whole and scoop out the flesh once it’s cooked.
Absolutely! Mixing different types of winter squash can add more depth and flavor to your dish. Just remember that cooking times might vary, so cut them into similar-sized pieces to make sure they cook evenly.
The easiest way to check is by piercing it with a fork. If the fork slides in easily, your squash is tender and ready to eat. For roasting, you’ll also notice the edges starting to caramelize, which adds a delicious flavor.
Yes! Cooked winter squash freezes really well. Just let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It’s perfect for quick meals later on, like soups or purees.
Keep uncooked winter squash in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar. If stored properly, it should last for a few months. Once you’ve cut into it, wrap it tightly in plastic and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
I hope this list of winter squash recipes has inspired you for your next cozy meal. Winter squash is a great healthy side dish and vegetarian option. It’s packed with color and flavor and can be enjoyed in so many different ways!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.
