You Can Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven or Microwave—Here's How

It's not officially fall until you add a few fresh butternut squash recipes to the menu. There's so much you can do with this in-season squash. You can cube it and roast it for an easy side dish, mash it for an autumn-themed riff on mashed potatoes, and even puree it to turn it into soup. No matter how you decide to use it, follow our step-by-step instructions for how to cook butternut squash (as well as how to peel, chop, and store it) and you'll be adding it to your menu week after week.

How to Prepare Butternut Squash

Before you start cooking, you've got to prep your squash. Follow these tips to get butternut squash ready for the oven or microwave.

How to Peel Butternut Squash

Start by thoroughly rinsing the squash under cool tap water and scrubbing with a clean produce brush. Pat dry with a paper towel like these reusable paper towels ($9, Amazon). Then, with the top of the squash (the neck) pointed toward you, start in the middle and use a Y-peeler ($10, Amazon) to peel in firm strokes all the way to the stem. Rotate the squash and repeat with the bottom half (the body).

How to Cut Butternut Squash

If you're serving cubed or sliced squash, cutting it up first will make it much easier to work with. To begin cutting your squash, lay it on its side. Using a large, sharp chef's knife ($100, Crate & Barrel), trim the top and bottom to remove the stem. Stand the squash upright, then cut straight down lengthwise through the middle if you want to maintain the shape of the squash and work with two halves. For easier handling, trim the top and bottom, cut in half crosswise, then each section of squash in half lengthwise (as pictured above). You'll end up working with four smaller pieces instead of two.

Test Kitchen Tip: To prevent the squash from slipping, use your non-dominant hand to stabilize the squash, and make an initial cut by using light pressure to penetrate the squash's flesh. That first cut will make slicing through the squash easier and safer.

How to Remove Seeds from Butternut Squash

Using a large spoon, scrape out the seeds and any pulp or stringy pieces. That's it. Your butternut squash is ready to place cut-side down to roast, slice, or chop as needed for your recipe.

Test Kitchen Tip: Don't toss those squash seeds! Instead, turn them into an afternoon snack by roasting them. Rinse, drain, and dry the seeds with a paper towel. Toss with salt and olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet at 300°F for 50 to 60 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 15 minutes.

How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven

Bake butternut squash in the oven when you want to serve it mashed, or enjoy each piece as a single serving and eat it with a spoon.

1. Clean squash, cut in half (or quarters), and remove seeds as directed above.
2. Place squash pieces, cut sides down, in a baking dish or foil-lined pan. Bake in a 350°F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until tender. To check doneness, pierce the squash with the tip of a sharp knife. It should slide in easily.
3. Carefully turn squash pieces over (a set of large tongs works well). Scoop out flesh into a bowl. Add seasonings as desired and mash to add to baked butternut squash recipes or enjoy as is.

Microwaving Butternut Squash

To prepare butternut squash quickly, use your microwave and save over half an hour.

1. Clean squash, cut in half (or quarters), and remove seeds as directed above.
2. Place squash pieces, cut sides down, in a baking dish with 2 tablespoons water. Cover with plastic wrap, and make a few slits in the wrap to allow steam to escape. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 9 to 12 minutes or until tender, rearranging once. To check doneness, pierce the squash with the tip of a sharp knife. It should slide in easily. (You can test it through the plastic wrap.)
3. Carefully turn squash pieces over. Scoop out flesh into a bowl. Season as desired and mash, or add to a recipe.

Roasting Butternut Squash

Roasting butternut squash pieces caramelizes their exterior while keeping them moist and tender inside. Toss roasted squash into soups or salads, throw them on a pizza, or use them to fill omelets, quesadillas, or sandwiches. They're also perfect as a simple side dish. Follow these simple steps to learn how to roast butternut squash.

1. Clean squash, peel, cut, and remove seeds as directed above. Cut squash into 1-inch cubes or ½-inch-thick slices.
2. Toss squash with a little olive oil to coat and prevent drying out while roasting. Spread in an even layer in a foil-lined baking pan ($26, Amazon).
3. Roast in a 450°F oven, uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until tender and brown on the edges, stirring once.

How to Select and Store Butternut Squash

Butternut squash, a common winter squash, starts appearing in markets in the fall. This bowling pin-shaped squash has a firm, dense flesh that does not get stringy after cooking, giving it a creamy texture great for mashing. The deep orange flesh of this squash is high in beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins C and B6, and potassium.

• Selecting: Choose butternut squash that feels dense and heavy with no blemishes or soft spots. The skin should appear uniform and flat, not glossy. Look for squash with no cracks and the stem still attached, which helps prevent the flesh from drying out. When planning for recipes, note that one 2-pound squash will yield about 5 cups cubed or 6 cups spiralized.
• Storing: Butternut squash will last several months stored in a cool, dry place between 50°F and 60°F. Don't store near apples, pears, onions, or potatoes; these foods give off ethylene gas, which can spoil squash. Once cut, wrap in plastic wrap (or DIY beeswax food wraps!) and refrigerate for several days.

Don't stop at butternut squash! Fall and winter are seasons for plenty of other squash varieties, like acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and even pumpkins. Learn how to cook them all, and you can take full advantage of the bounty of squash hitting grocery stores and markets this season.