Butternut squash is one of those ingredients that quietly does a lot. It brings a natural sweetness and creamy texture to everything from soups and sauces to pasta and casseroles. Whether you’re craving something cozy, something fresh, or something a little unexpected, there’s a recipe here that makes the most of this fall favorite.
These dishes are simple, filling, and perfect for mixing up your weeknight meals—with enough variety to keep things interesting all season long. Let’s get into it.
1. Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup
This smooth and cozy soup brings together roasted butternut squash and carrots for a naturally sweet, rich flavor. The texture is velvety, and it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. It’s simple enough for a weekday but still feels special with just a few spices and herbs.
Try this comforting butternut squash and carrot soup.
2. Mashed Butternut Squash with Coconut Milk
Mashed squash is a nice twist on regular mashed potatoes, especially when you add creamy coconut milk. This version is smooth, lightly sweet, and dairy-free, making it a great option for anyone looking for a different kind of side dish.
Check out this easy mashed butternut squash with coconut milk.
3. Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash
This simple dish highlights the natural sweetness of squash, with a boost from brown sugar and a little bit of spice. Roasting it brings out a caramelized edge that pairs well with just about any main dish.
Here’s how to make brown sugar roasted butternut squash.
4. Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
This creamy, dairy-free sauce uses roasted squash as the base, making it smooth, slightly sweet, and full of flavor. It coats pasta beautifully and is easy to pair with veggies or proteins.
Try this rich butternut squash pasta sauce.
5. Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
This hearty pasta dish balances sweet squash with savory sausage and spinach. The flavors come together in a way that feels satisfying and well-rounded, and it’s great for colder evenings.
Make this filling butternut squash pasta with sausage and spinach.
6. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
This is a fun take on classic mac and cheese, with the squash blended right into the sauce for extra creaminess. It’s cheesy, comforting, and a little bit lighter than the original.
Try this cozy butternut squash mac and cheese.
7. Roasted Butternut Squash Orzo with Crispy Chickpeas
Orzo makes a nice base for roasted squash and crunchy chickpeas, giving you a mix of textures in every bite. This dish works well as a side or light main.
Check out this roasted butternut squash orzo with crispy chickpeas.
8. Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage
This creamy gnocchi dish is rich and filling, thanks to the mix of squash and sausage. The gnocchi soaks up the sauce, making it comforting and satisfying.
Make a bowl of butternut squash gnocchi with sausage.
9. Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
Butternut squash and apple come together for a bright, slightly sweet soup with lots of fall flavor. It’s a smooth, warm option that tastes great with a side of bread.
Try this roasted butternut squash and apple soup.
10. Crockpot Butternut Squash Apple Butter Chicken
This dish blends tender chicken with a rich, slightly sweet apple butter and squash sauce. Cooking it in the slow cooker makes it super easy and full of flavor.
Here’s how to make crockpot butternut squash apple butter chicken.
11. Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto With Crispy Sage
Creamy risotto paired with roasted squash and crisp sage leaves makes for a warm, well-rounded meal. It feels special but comes together in a straightforward way.
Check out this butternut squash risotto with crispy sage.
12. Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup
This soup has a mild kick from red curry paste and a creamy coconut milk base. It’s a nice change from traditional squash soups and still feels simple and cozy.
Try this flavorful Thai curry butternut squash soup.
13. Cinnamon Maple Butternut Squash Bread
This quick bread is gently sweet with cinnamon and maple flavors that work really well with squash. It’s perfect for snacking or breakfast.
Bake a loaf of this cinnamon maple butternut squash bread.
14. Quinoa, Kale, And Butternut Squash Salad
This salad is fresh but still hearty, with protein from quinoa, greens from kale, and sweetness from roasted squash. It works for meal prep or a light lunch.
Make this quinoa, kale, and butternut squash salad.
15. Butternut Squash Cottage Cheese Pasta
Cottage cheese adds creaminess and a bit of protein to this pasta dish, while the squash brings a mild sweetness. It’s simple, balanced, and filling.
Try this easy butternut squash cottage cheese pasta.
16. Crockpot Caramelized Butternut Squash and Apples
Slow cooking brings out the deep sweetness of squash and apples in this soft, flavorful side. It’s perfect for fall meals and easy to prep.
Try this crockpot caramelized butternut squash and apples.
17. Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
Layers of roasted squash, spinach, and cheese come together in this hearty lasagna. It’s a comforting dish that works well for both family meals and leftovers.
Make this butternut squash and spinach lasagna.
18. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce
This is a lighter, veggie-packed take on pasta night. The squash strands soak up the marinara, and it’s easy to top with cheese or fresh herbs.
Try this baked spaghetti squash with marinara.
19. Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Zucchini, Squash, and Tomatoes
This simple roasted veggie mix is full of flavor thanks to garlic and Parmesan. It’s a solid side dish that pairs with almost anything.
Make this garlic-Parmesan zucchini, squash, and tomato roast.
20. Butternut Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers
This casserole is creamy with a crunchy, buttery topping from Ritz crackers. It’s easy to put together and makes a great side for gatherings.
Check out this butternut squash casserole with Ritz crackers.
21. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Feta, Spinach & Bacon
This stuffed squash has a mix of savory and salty from bacon and feta, plus some greens from spinach. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own.
Try this stuffed butternut squash with feta, spinach, and bacon.
22. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spicy Chicken and Rice
This version adds bold flavor with spicy chicken and rice, tucked right into the squash halves. It’s a full meal in one dish.
Make this spicy chicken and rice stuffed butternut squash.
Final Thoughts
Butternut squash has a way of fitting into all kinds of meals without trying too hard. It adds flavor, texture, and a little warmth, whether you’re making soup, pasta, or something in between.
These recipes show how versatile it really is—sweet or savory, simple or more layered, there’s room for squash in just about any kitchen.
If you’ve been looking to use it in more ways, this is a good place to start.