Roasted Butternut Squash {with Garlic and Herbs}

Published November 18, 2018. Updated October 22, 2019

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Roasted Butternut Squash is an essential, healthy fall side dish! It has a mildly sweet, slightly nutty, buttery flavor and a delicious creamy texture. Then when you add garlic and fresh herbs it adds two more delicious layers of flavor. It’s perfect for the holidays or a weeknight dinner!

Roasted butternut squash with garlic and fresh herbs in a white ceramic serving bowl set over a white marble surface.

Roasted Butternut Squash

I love roasted butternut squash. Sometimes I’ll buy the mini ones and roast butternut squash halves and sometimes I’ll buy a big one then dice it up into cubes and roast as I’ve done here.

I like this method better because you can get more color and flavor on each individual piece, the only tedious part is cutting up that squash.

But after you’ve done it a few times it goes a lot faster. And a result this good is worth that extra bit of effort, trust me!

Roasted Butternut Squash on a dark baking sheet after roasting.

How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash

  • Microwave the butternut squash for 1 minute (this makes peeling a bit easier).
  • Cut bottom and top end from squash.
  • Hold onto one end of the squash peel squash with one hand, then use a sharp vegetable peeler in the other hand to peel entire squash.

Showing how to peel a butternut squash.

  • Slice squash from top to bottom through the center.

Showing how to halve a butternut squash on a cutting board.

  • Using a spoon scoop seeds and stringy fibrous flesh from center of squash. Discard or reserve seeds for another use.

Showing how to seed a butternut squash.

  • Cut squash into chunks, about 1-inch each.

Showing how to cut a whole butternut squash into cubes on a cutting board with a knife.

  • I first cut into rows then dice into cubes, from there many of the cubes need to be cut into smaller portions.

Completed chopped butternut squash in cubes.

How to Roast Butternut Squash

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet.
  • Toss butternut squash on baking sheet with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, sage and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spread into an even layer. Roast in preheated oven 20 minutes.
  • Remove from oven add garlic and toss squash with a thin metal spatula.
  • Return to oven and roast until soft, about 10 – 20 minutes longer.
  • For more browning move oven rack near broiler and broil squash 1 – 3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle in parsley, serve warm.

Drizzling butternut squash on a baking sheet with olive oil and sprinkling with herbs.

Can I Use Pre-Cut Butternut Squash?

Precut fresh butternut squash you can buy from the produce section of the grocery store will work fine here as well. You’ll need about 8 cups, halve any cubes that may be bigger so they cook evenly.

Don’t use frozen butternut squash. It won’t roast as well as fresh.

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash on a dark baking sheet.

Can I Use Different Seasoning?

Another great option here is to go a sweet route with 3/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup. Then omit the garlic and herbs.

Of course this can also be made with no herbs, it is good on it’s own but I like the extra flavor they add so I’d recommend trying it with at least two of the four listed.

Tips for This Recipe

  • Microwave the squash for 1 minute for easier peeling.
  • Use a sharp knife and peeler. It will make a big difference.
  • Use a dark baking sheet (if you have one) as it encourages browning, and broil briefly for more color. Who can resist those nicely browned pieces?

Roasted Butternut Squash in a white ceramic serving bowl set over a white marble surface.

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Roasted butternut squash with garlic and fresh herbs in a white ceramic serving bowl set over a white marble surface.
5 from 7 votes

Roasted Butternut Squash {with Garlic and Herbs}

Roasted Butternut Squash is an essential, healthy fall side dish! It has a mildly sweet, slightly nutty, buttery flavor and a delicious creamy texture. Then when you add garlic and fresh herbs it adds two more delicious layers of flavor. It's perfect for the holidays or a weeknight dinner!
Servings: 6
Prep15 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Ready in: 55 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place butternut squash on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with rosemary, thyme, sage and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Toss to coat then spread into an even layer.
  • Roast in preheated oven 20 minutes. Remove from oven add garlic and toss squash with a thin metal spatula.
  • Return to oven and roast until soft, about 10 - 20 minutes longer. 
  • For more browning move oven rack near broiler and broil squash 1 - 3 minutes (keep a close eye on it it as it will brown quickly!).
  • Sprinkle in parsley, serve warm.

Notes

  • For easier peeling microwave the squash (left whole) 1 minute, then peel.
  • You don't need to use all three herbs, but I do recommend using at least 2 of them.
Nutrition Facts
Roasted Butternut Squash {with Garlic and Herbs}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 8mg0%
Potassium 681mg19%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 20280IU406%
Vitamin C 44.1mg53%
Calcium 100mg10%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.