Name: Simple Oven Roasted Butternut Squash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small butternut squash; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper, to taste

Roasted butternut squash is delicious enough to eat it on it's own or as a side or even mixed into something! This a simple and easy recipe to learn how to roast a butternut squash.

To be totally honest, I had never even tried butternut squash until a couple years ago. I absolutely fell in love! But I wanted an easy way to make it. So, after lots of trial and error, I finally found the easiest way to to roast a butternut squash.

I know it sounds a little silly but I genuinely do eat quite a bit of it. I like to mix it into salads, pizzas, pastas, or just whatever I'm craving at the moment. It can be used as a sweet or savory component and I absolutely love it!

How to pick a butternut squash

This is always the best part of going to a grocery store. So, what you need to do is pick them up and feel their weight. If they feel light for their size, don't buy it! A butternut squash should always feel heavy for it's size.

two small butternut squash on a marble board

It's a bit like lifting weights but... butternut squash. I personally like to buy smaller ones so they don't take so long to cook but this is just a personal opinion. Cook times will vary for the size you buy.

How to cook butternut squash

So, you've done your weight lifting and found the perfect squash! Now it's time to cook it. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a sharp knife because you are going to be cutting through this.

So, the actual first step it to cut the top off .

top of butternut squash cut off on a wood cutting board

Now, very carefully slice the squash in half. Try to be as close to the middle as possible because this will ensure even cook times for both halves.

butternut squash cut in half on a cutting board

This bit is like a pumpkin! Take a spoon and scrape away the seeds and all that lovely gunk.

butternut squash on a marble board cut in half

Once that's cleaned, drizzle the halves with olive oil. Just a few tablespoons should do it. Season with salt and pepper.

olive oil drizzled onto butternut squash halves

salt and pepper added to butternut squash halves

Roast them in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. You can always test to see if the squash is done with a fork. If it feels soft and fork glides through, it's done! Take them out of the oven and let cool.

Once cooled, use a small knife to peel away the skin. Be very careful!

After the squash is peeled, you can chop it anyway you like! I personally prefer to cube it but that's just me.

Can roasted butternut squash be frozen

I have some great nows, it can be frozen! Once you've chopped your squash, place the cubes onto a lined baking sheet and set in the freezer until firm. Make sure they aren't touching! You don't want to have large chunks stuck together.

Once it's firm, dump them into a freezer safe bag and put it back in the freezer!

Expert Tips:

Make sure your butternut squash feels heavy for it's size and doesn't have mold on it.
Be very careful with peeling! The squash will be soft but the skin will almost have a rubber consistency.
If you don't want to freeze it, butternut squash can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

When you make this Simple Oven Roasted Butternut Squash recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #MsDeltaHospitality.