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  4. Fast and Healthy Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall Comfort Plus Nutrition
Fast & Fresh

Fast and Healthy Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall Comfort Plus Nutrition

Headshot of Food Editor, Sheena Chihak, RD
By Sheena Chihak, RD Updated September 29, 2020
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Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake
Credit: Andy Lyons

Butternut squash season has finally arrived! While we love slow roasting this fall ingredient as much as anyone, busy weeknights aren't the easiest time to fit that in. Luckily, all of these healthy butternut squash recipes for sides and mains will add the veggie to dinner in 45 minutes or less! This doesn't mean you're limited to just sautéing. We have a few quick roast recipes you can still serve in almost no time.

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Butternut Coconut Rice with Thai Seasoned Chicken

Butternut Coconut Rice with Thai Seasoned Chicken on serving plate with lime wedges
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If you're over cauliflower rice (or love it so much you want to try it with another veggie), dig into the butternut squash rice in this clever dinner idea using butternut squash. Everything cooks in one skillet so even cleanup is speedy for this protein-packed (22 grams per serving) fall dinner that takes just 30 minutes.

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Orzo with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Bacon

Orzo with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Bacon
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Combat the chilly fall with this warm, cozy orzo bowl. We don't know anyone who would turn down the combination of pasta, butternut squash, and bacon in this side dish. Cooking the butternut squash in a Dutch oven makes this recipe much faster than roasting.

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Crispy Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash

Crispy Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If you want a fuss-free side of butternut squash with dinner, you can't go wrong with roasting. This easy butternut squash recipe really lets your fresh squash shine. Just toss the cubes of squash with a drizzle of oil, a pinch of dried thyme, and a handful of Parmesan cheese, then let them roast to perfection to serve alongside your fall entrée.

Test Kitchen Tip: Cut your prep time way down by using purchased, cubed squash pieces.

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Radicchio and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Radicchio & Roasted Butternut Squash Salad on oval white platter
Credit: Con Poulos
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If you let autumn pass you by without making this rainbow salad, you're seriously missing out. Instead of plain old lettuce leaves, use purple-red radicchio for your salad "greens," and mix in fennel and roasted butternut squash. In place of croutons, keep the fall theme going by topping off your salad with roasted pumpkin seeds. Add cooked steak, pork, or chicken to make it an entrée.

Buy It: Pumpkin Seeds Roasted & Salted ($4, Target)

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Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake

Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If you have picky eaters at your table who normally wouldn't touch squash with a 10-foot fork, this easy, cheesy casserole sneaks it onto their plates. After cooking, mash the butternut squash and mix it in with pasta, Fontina cheese, and mushrooms. Once this casserole is finished baking, sprinkle on a few slices of crispy chopped bacon. Who could resist trying a bite?

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Butternut Burrito Bowls

burrito bowl with butternut squash noodles
Credit: Blaine Moats
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One way to speed up cooking butternut squash is to spiralize it first. (Or use purchased butternut squash "noodles" to make it even faster.) That's the tactic we used here to make this healthy butternut squash recipe ready to eat in 30 minutes. The squash with seasonings and bell peppers skillet cooks for just 2 to 3 minutes. It's a nutrition-packed side dish perfect for serving alongside a fall roast or baked chicken.

Buy It: OXO Tabletop Spiralizer ($48, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Squash and Curried Noodle Soup

Squash & Curried Noodle Soup
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Soup in just 30 minutes? Sign us up! Even though you can throw it together in almost no time, this soup is full of fresh ingredients and big flavors that'll make it taste like it's been simmering all day. Curry powder gives this recipe a kick, while fresh butternut squash and spinach make it healthy and tasty enough to serve for dinner every week.

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Baked Butternut Squash with Thyme

Baked Butternut Squash with Thyme
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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Whether it's a weeknight dinner or you're prepping for the holidays, you can't go wrong with this simple side dish. Just add a sprinkle of salt and thyme, and let the butternut squash shine.

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Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry

Chickpea Curry with Butternut Squash
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Use this healthy butternut squash recipe as a foray into vegan meals. Chickpeas add loads of fiber (there are 12 grams per serving!) and a bit of protein. Serve with cooked rice or noodles for a heartier dinner.

Buy It: Blue Diamond Ceramic Skillet with Cover ($35, Target)

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Butternut Squash and Mushroom Noodle Bowl

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Noodle Bowl
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Sweet, spicy, and full of fall flavor, this recipe adds soy and ginger flair to your usual bowl of pasta and butternut squash. To keep dishwashing to a minimum, start by roasting the butternut squash 15 minutes, then add the mushrooms to the same pan to continue roasting. Toss the spinach and green onions on the pan after the roasting time is up. No need to dirty an extra pan and bowl for those steps.

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Red Beans and Rice with Squash

Red Beans and Rice with Squash
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Hearty, warm, and filled with fall flavors, this cozy butternut squash dinner was meant for a night in. Serve butternut squash, red kidney beans, and chicken sausage over rice for a healthy comfort food dinner. It's almost like a tasty fall chili.

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Spaghetti with Roasted Butternut Squash

Spaghetti with Roasted Butternut Squash
Credit: Andy Lyons
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No canned spaghetti sauce here! Instead, serve your noodles with roasted butternut squash, crispy bacon, and pecorino cheese in a brown butter sauce. It's a seasonal twist on spaghetti you'll want to make all year. Trust us: You won't miss your store-bought tomato sauce.

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Butternut & Brussels Hash

Butternut Brussels Hash
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Add this to your collection of healthy butternut squash recipes for breakfast or serve as a light dinner on the rare occurrence you get the house to yourself. The hearty dish is customized for one, but an easily be increased to serve the whole family. Simply double, triple, or quadruple the amounts of bacon, butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts and fry as many eggs (to your ideal doneness) as you need.

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Butternut Risotto

Butternut Risotto
Credit: Kim Cornelison
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Tender, melt-in-your-mouth butternut squash is an ideal addition to creamy risotto when you want a taste of fall. A few threads of saffron add an extra layer of flavor, while sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top makes each bite a little more decadent. Serve this easy side alongside a roast or chicken breast for a cozy dinner.

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Gluten-Free Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Gluten Free Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
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We'll never say to no to creamy, luscious mac and cheese—especially when butternut squash is mixed in! Rather than roasted cubes, we sautéed and pureed the squash, so this mac is extra gooey. Simply swapping gluten free pasta and flour for regular allows this dish to fit in a gluten free diet.

Related: Gluten Free Recipes 

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Butternut Squash Soup with Ravioli

Butternut Squash Soup with Ravioli
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Two pounds of butternut squash might sound like a lot, but it's worth the chopping and peeling for this silky-smooth soup. Of course, you can snag a bag of precut squash to speed things along, if time is extra tight. To make dinner a little more elegant, top with cheese ravioli and swirls of molasses to turn your bowl of healthy butternut squash soup into art.

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Pappardelle with Butternut Squash and Blue Cheese

Pappardelle with Butternut Squash and Blue Cheese
Credit: David Loftus
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Thick pappardelle noodles are just right for partnering with tender butternut squash. Plenty of fresh sage and crunchy pine nuts don't hurt this pairing, either.

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Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables

Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Who says you need rice to make risotto? Not us. You can make risotto just as creamy and dreamy using orzo instead. To make it a healthy side dish (or even a main meal), add in delicious roasted vegetables such as butternut squash, mushrooms, and onions.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 18 Butternut Coconut Rice with Thai Seasoned Chicken
    2 of 18 Orzo with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Bacon
    3 of 18 Crispy Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash
    4 of 18 Radicchio and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
    5 of 18 Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake
    6 of 18 Butternut Burrito Bowls
    7 of 18 Squash and Curried Noodle Soup
    8 of 18 Baked Butternut Squash with Thyme
    9 of 18 Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
    10 of 18 Butternut Squash and Mushroom Noodle Bowl
    11 of 18 Red Beans and Rice with Squash
    12 of 18 Spaghetti with Roasted Butternut Squash
    13 of 18 Butternut & Brussels Hash
    14 of 18 Butternut Risotto
    15 of 18 Gluten-Free Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    16 of 18 Butternut Squash Soup with Ravioli
    17 of 18 Pappardelle with Butternut Squash and Blue Cheese
    18 of 18 Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables

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