Learn how to cook acorn squash. This Fall and holiday favorite is super easy to bake with only 4 ingredients. It’s perfect as a side dish for Fall or Thanksgiving dinner!
Squash are amazing. There are so many kinds of squash. Summer varieties of green and yellow zucchini squash, and winter ones like butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash…the list goes on.
Not only are they beautiful, and useful for decorating, they are also very good for you and ohhhh so delicious! One of my family favorites, in particular, is this mouth-watering baked acorn squash.
I usually make two when doing this recipe because if hungry enough, our family of four can each eat an entire half!
You will need only 4 ingredients – acorn squash, brown sugar, butter and maple syrup. The Baked Acorn Squash are also budget friendly, for about $3, you can get two squash at Walmart. The other ingredients are some that I bet you have on hand.
Carefully cut the acorn in half with a large knife. Scoop out all of the seeds and stringy flesh. Take a small knife and cut lines along the inside and top of the squash. I like to cut quite a few because the more lines that are cut, the more all of the buttery deliciousness soaks into it.
After the lines are cut, slather the butter all throughout the squash. I like to make sure that every part is covered, kind of like frosting the squash. I used a silicone brush.
Then, pat the brown sugar around on top of the butter.
Next, drizzle some pure maple syrup over that. Just because…it’s amazing.
Add about ¼ inch of water to a 9×13 baking dish and place your squash face up. The water will help keep the skin of the squash from burning.
Place the squash in the pre-heated oven. I like to check it around 30 minutes and turn the pan around so it cooks evenly.
Take out when the squash is fork tender. This usually takes about 45-60 minutes.
Even picky eaters will love this because it almost tastes like pie and since pumpkin pie is made from squash, try making this for dessert sometime! You can serve the baked acorn squash warm or cold. We added some dried cranberries and chopped nuts for a little extra crunch.
This recipe is wonderful with roasted chicken, dinner rolls and a fruit salad. I’ve also served it with a meat pot pie (either chicken or beef) which is definitely hearty. It goes great with pork chops, too. It is really so versatile.
Baked Acorn Squash can also be served as a Thanksgiving or holiday side dish. Along with the usual Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Sweet Potatoes. Surprise your family by adding this beautiful, sweet and savory baked acorn squash and I guarantee you, you will be asked to bring it again.
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How to Cook Acorn Squash
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
Description
This Fall and holiday favorite is super easy to bake with only 4 ingredients! Perfect as a side dish for Fall or Thanksgiving dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- 2–3 Tablespoons butter, softened
- 2–3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- Drizzle of pure maple syrup
- Salt , if desired
- Dried Cranberries and Chopped Nuts, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and set out a 9 x 13 baking dish
- Carefully cut the acorn in half with a large knife.
- Scoop out all of the seeds and stringy flesh.
- Take a small knife and cut lines along the inside and top of the squash.
- After the lines are cut, slather the butter all throughout the squash.
- Pat the brown sugar around on top of the butter.
- Drizzle with pure maple syrup over that.
- Add about ¼ inch of water to a 9×13 baking dish and place your squash face up. The water will help keep the skin of the squash from burning.
- Place the squash in the pre-heated oven.
- Check squash and turn around 30 minutes
- Continue cooking for 15-30 minutes or until fork tender
- Serve warm or cold
- Add salt, dried cranberries and chopped nuts if desired
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Side Dish
