Learn how to make oven roasted acorn squash with brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecans for the perfect side dish. If you loved my Butternut Squash Casserole, you have to give this a try!
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Squash of all shapes and sizes are a delicious and affordable fall dinner option, but oven roasted acorn squash might be my favorite. It's so simple to make, so comforting and warm, and just downright delicious when done right.
The maple syrup compliments the natural sweetness of the squash, while the pecans add a little texture. It truly has the best flavor. And, Fall is the best time to make this sweet squash recipe because that's when acorn squash is in season.
Not only is this oven roasted squash great for weeknight dinners, it would also be so good for Thanksgiving. It looks impressive, smells divine, and no one but you will know how easy it was to make. Plus, it doesn't take a lot of time to prepare!
Let me show you how to make this delicious side dish. Actually, you could even eat this easy recipe as a main dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- Acorn Squash: Look for squash that's a mixture of orange and green with dull skin. It should be heavy for it's size. Avoid squash with soft spots.
- Olive Oil: This will help the squash roast nicely. Any neutral oil will work in this recipe.
- Butter: Use good quality salted butter. To make it easier to use, soften it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar will also work, but I love the flavor of dark brown sugar with the sweet and nutty squash.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Using pure maple syrup in this recipe is very important. Check the nutritional label; if the ingredients list corn syrup, it's not pure syrup. Honey can be substituted for maple syrup if you prefer.
- Pecans: Rough chop the nuts. If you have an extra 5 minutes, toast them in a dry skillet on medium-low. If you like, you can use walnuts instead of pecans.
- Seasonings: ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, black pepper
Note: Don't skip the salt and pepper, which is needed for a well-balanced dish.
This is meant to be a brief overview of our easy roasted acorn squash recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this Oven Roasted Acorn Squash recipe.
Absolutely! In fact, acorn squash is better than several other varieties when it comes to nutritional value. Acorn squash is a wonderful way to add fiber to your diet and has tons of vitamins, too.
Pecans are full of antioxidants and are said to be a heart-healthy food. They also add protein to this tasty and easy side dish.
Yes, you can eat the squash skin! It is especially tasty when roasted as it becomes tender.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Serve your acorn squashes with Brown Sugar Butter. (A little goes a long way!
My favorite way to enjoy acorn squash is actually with pasta. I cut up the roasted squash and toss it with penne or rigatoni with a little extra drizzle of olive oil.
However, this squash is equally delicious with my Best Juicy Turkey Recipe or Roasted Chicken.
You'll also love this as a side for our apple pork slow cooker meal.
You could even use this squash recipe for one pan-meals. Place each side of the squash on a rimmed baking pan and use our Best Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe to make an easy weeknight dinner. The nutty flavor of the squash and the sweetness from the maple syrup is delicious with pork.
📖 Variations
While I always recommend that you make our recipe just as it is written the first time, here are a couple of different ways you can make it. (Please note that we have not tested these variations.)
- To really wow guests, sprinkle the top of the acorn squash with crispy, crumbled bacon as a garnish.
- Use honey instead of maple syrup.
- For smaller portions, cut it so that you have squash slices instead of halves.
- Save the squash seeds and toast them in the oven. Sprinkle on top of the cooked squash before serving.
⏲️ Storage
Roasted acorn squash can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
However, whole uncooked acorn squash can be kept in a cool, dark space (similar to potatoes) for 1-2 months. Just make sure wherever you're storing it is dry.
Reheat in the microwave, or cover the tops with foil and cook in the oven at 300F until warmed through.
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these tasty side dish recipes, which would also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table:
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Baked Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Recipe
- Make Ahead Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon Butternut Squash
This is one of the squash recipes included in our collection of the 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes.
Oven Roasted Acorn Squash
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Ingredients
- 3 acorn squash sliced in ½, seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¾ cup pecans chopped
- 1-½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- koshersalt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.
- Line a rimmed sheet pan with tinfoil or parchment paper.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the acorn squash in half and place the acorn squash cut sides up on a baking sheet. Remove the seeds and stringy bits from the orange flesh using a large spoon.3 acorn squash
- Lightly drizzle the squash halves with olive oil - or use a pastry brush to avoid adding too much olive oil. Only the least little bit is needed.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Place the tray into the preheated oven and bake the squash until it is golden and tender, about 1 hour.
- In a mixing bowl combine the remaining ingredients.6 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, ¾ cup pecans, 1-½ teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, koshersalt and black pepper
- Remove the squash from the oven.
- Spoon the pecan and butter mixture evenly into the six halves.
- Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the pecan mixture is caramelized.
Equipment
- Heavy-Duty Knife
Nutrition
Ed Henning says
A big hit in my house 🙌🏻
Carol says
It was absolutely delicious. Gave the recipe to my friend.
Ang Paris says
I am so glad that you enjoyed this squash recipe, Carol!
Thanks so much for visiting 🙂
Sue says
Is the temp of 450 correct? It’s not 350°F?
Sue
Ang Paris says
The temperature should be 400. I've updated the post. Happy Thanksgiving!