This butternut squash with rosemary is an easy, tasty side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whenever you’re in the mood for some candy-sweet, tender squash with caramelized edges. You can prepare this baked butternut squash in advance and reheat it right before serving which makes it ideal for holiday entertaining.
Main ingredients and substitutions
Butternut squash is abundant in most grocery stores during the fall and winter months. I recommend selecting the largest one you can find because squash does shrink down a fair bit when roasted. Or you can buy a couple of packages of pre-peeled and chopped butternut squash if your grocery store carries them (a nice shortcut if you’re swamped with other holiday tasks).
I used dried rosemary in this baked butternut squash, but you can substitute fresh if you prefer. And I used garlic powder to keep things really quick and easy but you can substitute fresh chopped garlic if you like, but in that case add the garlic at the halfway point when you’re flipping the squash. If you add fresh garlic at the beginning of the cooking process it may burn.
I used extra virgin olive oil in this squash, but any relatively neutral oil such as avocado oil is fine too.
How to make butternut squash with rosemary
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then peel, seed, and cut the butternut squash into 1.5 inch cubes (this doesn’t have to be exact. Rustic chunky shapes of a similar size are fine). Alternatively you can use pre-peeled, chopped butternut squash to save time if you prefer (measure out 5 cups if you go that route).
Next you’ll line a sheet pan with parchment paper, then add the butternut squash, olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pan. Use your hands to toss and coat the squash in the oil and spices.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for thirty minutes, then flip the squash so that it cooks and caramelizes evenly. Continue to bake for an additional thirty minutes or until the squash is fork-tender and golden brown around the edges.
Preparing this in advance
This dish is perfect for the holidays and can be prepared up to three days in advance. After you’ve baked the squash, allow it to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Transfer it to a baking dish and reheat it in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until your desired temperature is reached before serving.
Optional additions
To add an extra layer of flavor and texture to this dish, sprinkle on 1/2 cup of toasted chopped pecans immediately before serving. A garnish of finely chopped fresh chives is another nice addition.
More butternut squash recipes to try
- This vegan butternut squash risotto is pure comfort food.
- Start your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with a bowl of this paleo diet-friendly butternut squash soup.
- These sauteed butternut squash noodles are another easy, tasty holiday side dish.
Butternut Squash with Rosemary Recipe
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cut into 1.5 inch cubes. Alternatively you can use 5 cups of pre-chopped and peeled butternut squash)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peel the butternut squash, then cut it into approximately 1.5 inch cubes (or more rustic chunky shapes of approximately that size). Or if you prefer to buy the squash already peeled and chopped, measure out 5 cups.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper then add the chopped butternut squash, extra virgin olive oil, dried rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- Use your hands to toss and coat the squash in the oil and spices.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then flip the butternut squash to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
- Continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes or until they’re fork-tender and golden brown around the edges.
Notes
- You can prepare this dish up to three days in advance, then reheat it in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until your desired temperature is reached before serving.