Kid Friendly Butternut Squash Recipes

Since I spend about 75% of my waking hours in leggings (85% if you count their close relatives jeggings and yoga pants), every now and then I appreciate the opportunity to get a little fancy. The same can be said for recipes. Today’s Roasted Butternut Squash takes an easy weeknight side—roasted butternut squash cubes—and transforms it into a dish that’s worthy of a special occasion, be it a holiday table or dinner with someone you love. Butternut squash roasted with maple syrup and cinnamon until caramelized and tender, then tossed with fresh rosemary, it’s elegant to eat and

We eat roasted vegetables several nights a week at home, and my default method to cook them is olive oil, salt, and pepper. 400 degrees F. 20(ish) minutes. Done and done.

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But what about those meals when you need something a little special? When your friends and family are gathered for a festive occasion? When yoga pants simply will not do?

Easy Butternut Squash Soup {healthy}

This roasted butternut squash recipe starts like any other roasted vegetable recipe—olive oil, salt, and pepper—but the simple additions of cinnamon, maple syrup, and fresh rosemary elevate it and give it a festive flair that you’ll be proud to share at the table.

Whether you are looking for a simple side to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, or if you want to shake up your weeknight roasted vegetable routine, this roasted butternut squash hits the spot.

One final note: the cinnamon is bold in this recipe. You can absolutely taste it, so if you are looking for the cinnamon flavor to be more subtle, I’d recommend reducing the amount to 1/2 teaspoon.

Stuffed Butternut Squash

If, on the other hand, you are like me, see the word cinnamon, and think “GIVE ME ALL OF IT PLEASE!” this roasted butternut squash will be the perfect level of spice for you.

If you find it intimidating to cut a butternut squash, you are not alone! However, don’t let its odd shape and hard surface stop you from cooking it.

If you have a few basic tools (all of which I am betting are in your utensil drawer right now), you’ll find that it’s much easier than it seems.

How To Make Caramelized Butternut Squash

I’ve tried a myriad of different ways to prepare and peel butternut squash from microwaving it, to roasting it part way, to cutting it in various patterns, and you know what?

Roasted

However, while it is safe to eat the skin, the texture is not as ideal. If you have successfully tried roasted butternut squash with skin, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

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Easy Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce

Serving: 1 (of 4) Calories: 153 kcal Carbohydrates: 28 g Protein: 2 g Fat: 5 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Potassium: 677 mg Fiber: 4 g Sugar: 9 g Vitamin A: 19946 IU Vitamin C: 39 mg Calcium: 102 mg Iron: 1 mg

Health benefits of butternut squash mentioned in this article were sourced from Healthline and are meant to be for general information, not any kind of specific medical advice. For specific dietary needs, I always recommend contacting your doctor or seeking professional advice.

Butternut

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!Sweet, buttery, and bursting with fall flavor, this vitamin- and mineral-rich honey roasted butternut squash is a kid friendly side dish you’ll come back to all season.

Easy, Delicious Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Orange veggies are full of goodness for kids. And during the fall months, orange veggies are in the peak of their season! Here’s a simple recipe for honey roasted butternut squash highlights the natural flavor of this healthy fall veggie, and features a caramelized edge on every roasted cube.

Squash is a perfect “starter veggie” for picky kids because it’s sweet, easy to chew, and a pretty color, too. Roast some sweet cubes of squash tonight.

Making this nutritious side dish is super easy, and it can be prepped ahead! The first step is to peel and cube your squash. If you find the flesh of the squash to hard to cut through comfortable, you can soften it in the oven for a half hour before peeling and cubing. This step is optional, but we like to do it if we can spare the time.

Butternut

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (steps + Video!)

Note: once your squash is peeled and cubed, it’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for several days. Once you’ve completed this step, roasting your squash is ultra fast and easy!

Toss your squash cubes with a mixture of melted butter, olive oil, and honey. Make sure it’s all well-coated before spreading it on a lightly greased baking sheet. (You can use parchment paper or a silicone mat if you like.)

If you introduce squash to kids when they’re babies and toddlers, they’ll have the opportunity to develop a taste for this orange super food early. But even if your kids are older, it’s never too late to get them on board with a new veggie.

Oven Roasted Butternut Squash

Sweet & buttery, this vitamin and mineral rich honey roasted butternut squash is the perfect kid friendly side dish for any meal!

Baked

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.