Got a squash and not sure what to do with it? Here are all the best ideas for acorn squash recipes, from soup to salad to stuffed.

Acorn squash recipes

Are you a squash fan? As soon as glossy green round squashes starts to pop up farmers markets and grocery stores, Alex and I start brainstorming acorn squash recipes. Stuff them with wild rice, puree them into soup: there are so many tasty acorn squash recipes! Growing up, I’ll admit I wasn’t so into squash (it was a new food that was a little too exotic!). But today, Alex and I are enchanted with it for it’s bright and beautiful tender flesh. Here are some of the absolute best ways we’ve found to eat it!

How to roast acorn squash

Acorn squash is easy to make: the only hard part is cutting it! To roast acorn squash, you’ll need to halve the squash using a very sharp knife and then scoop out the seeds. Then cut the acorn squash into quarters — you also can cut it into half moons (like in the salad below). Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Then place the squash onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray.

It takes about 40 minutes to roast the squash; test and make sure it’s fork tender. The edges will turn slightly brown in the oven and the squash should smell slightly nutty as well. 

Acorn squash nutrition

So, what’s in squash that makes it so great? According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, squash is full of beta carotene, protein, Vitamin C & B6, potassium, and fiber. While there are no studies to cite on specific health benefits of winter squash, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, and have a positive effect on blood sugar to keep your appetite in check.

Basically: acorn squash is full of vitamins and nutrients. So why not make it part of your fall recipe repertoire?

And now…our best acorn squash recipes!

Note: Several of these Butternut Squash Recipes can also be made with acorn squash!

More with squash?

Like butternut? Got a spaghetti squash instead? Found a delicata and not sure how to use it? Here are some resources for other types of squash:

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
10 Delicious Vegetarian Main Dish Thanksgiving Recipes | A Couple Cooks

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 to 8 1x

Description

This crowd-pleasing roasted acorn squash cooked until fork tender, then draped in a savory filling of wild rice, pistachios and feta cheese.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked wild rice
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 4 medium acorn squash
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 bunch kale
  • 3 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • ⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
  • 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 450°F.
  2. In a medium pot, combine the wild rice, 3 ½ cups water, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 to 50 minutes until tender. Let sit for 10 minutes before draining any extra liquid.
  3. Meanwhile, chop each of the acorn squash in half and then into quarters. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place the squash on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil on the cut sides, then sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Turn cut side down on the sheet and roast until tender, about 40 minutes.
  4. While the squash roasts, mince the garlic and the shallot. Cut the kale into thin strips. In a large skillet, heat 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil; add garlic and shallot and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the shallots are soft. Then add the kale and sauté for 2 to 3 additional minutes until the kale is tender and bright green. Turn off the heat and stir in the rice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Taste, and adjust seasonings if desired.
  5. To serve, place the squash quarters on a plate. Top with wild rice stuffing, then sprinkle with feta cheese and pistachios.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Acorn squash recipes

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.