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Sweet and savory, this brown sugar roasted acorn squash is an easy side dish for any night of the week! You only need a few simple ingredients for a tender, caramelized, and flavorful vegetable dish.

Roasted acorn squash slices on a baking sheet with spatula
Table of Contents
  1. Ingredients
  2. How to Cut an Acorn Squash for Roasting
  3. How to Bake Acorn Squash in the Oven
  4. How to Roast Acorn Squash Seeds
  5. Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

You guys. THIS is the must-make recipe for the season! After all, how could you possibly go wrong with a sweet and tender roasted acorn squash that has just the right amount of subtle, brown sugar and butter glaze?!

I just wish that eating veggies could always taste this good!

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for this easy roasted acorn squash recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

  • Acorn squash: the recipe calls for two acorn squash, but you can cut the ingredients in half for a smaller portion, or double all of the ingredients to serve a larger group.
  • Butter: gives the squash rich flavor, helps to prevent it from sticking to the pant, and aids in browning and caramelization.
  • Brown sugar: for a hint of sweetness and a crisp, caramelized exterior.
  • Salt: to enhance the other ingredients.

How to Cut an Acorn Squash for Roasting

There’s no need to peel the acorn squash, because the skin is completely edible once it’s baked. Slice the acorn squash in half, and scoop out the seeds.

Cut acorn squash on cutting board

Turn the acorn squash cut-side-down on the board and slice into 1- 1.5-inch pieces. Trim off the stem, too!

Slices of acorn squash on a cutting board

How to Bake Acorn Squash in the Oven

This simple process only requires about 5 minutes of hands-on prep time! The oven does the rest of the work, and the end result is an amazingly delicious side dish that works for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, as well as for your average weeknight dinner.

You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:

  • Arrange the acorn squash slices on a greased baking sheet.
  • Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar and salt.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing the opposite sides with extra butter, brown sugar, and salt. Easy peasy!
Brushing melted butter on acorn squash slices

The roasted acorn squash slices come out of the oven tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. The butter and brown sugar help the squash caramelize in the oven, giving it the BEST texture and flavor!

If you like your acorn squash even darker, simply leave it in the oven longer.

Healthy Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash on a baking sheet

Can you eat the skin of roasted acorn squash?

YES! Definitely do not worry about peeling your acorn squash. The skin gets nice and tender in the oven, so it’s completely edible!

Slices of roasted acorn squash garnished with pecans and herbs

For a “fancy” touch, I like to garnish the roasted acorn squash with chopped, toasted pecans and/or fresh herbs like thyme or parsley. That’s completely optional, though!

Either way, you only need about 5 MINUTES (maybe 10, at the most) to prepare the squash. The oven does the hard work so that you can focus on the rest of your meal (or the other items on your to-do list).

Oh, and this is a great way to convince your kids (or your husbands, ahem…) that winter squash is in fact a truly delicious way to squeeze in an extra serving of veggies! Again, you just can’t go wrong with a sweet, buttery dessert-like “vegetable.”

How to Roast Acorn Squash Seeds

  • Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
  • Wash acorn squash seeds in water, and pat dry.
  • Place the dry seeds in a small bowl. Toss with olive oil (as much as you need to coat the seeds; the amount will vary depending on how many seeds you have); season with salt.
  • Spread seeds in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Roast for 15 minutes, or until the seeds begin to pop. Allow the seeds to cool on the tray before serving.
Tray of roasted acorn squash slices with fresh herbs on a spatula

More Winter Squash Recipes to Try

Square image of brown sugar roasted acorn squash on a baking sheet.

Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 159 kcal
Sweet and savory, this brown sugar roasted acorn squash is an easy side dish for any night of the week! 

Ingredients
  

  • 2 acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped toasted pecans; fresh thyme or fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside. Slice squash in half. Scoop out the the seeds. Place squash flat side down on a cutting board and slice into 1 – 1 ½-inch slices.
  • Arrange slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top of each slice with half of the melted butter. Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and season with salt, to taste.
  • Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until squash is caramelized and tender. Halfway through the baking time, flip the squash over; brush with remaining melted butter, sprinkle with remaining brown sugar, and season with additional salt. 
  • Garnish roasted acorn squash with chopped, toasted pecans and fresh herbs, if desired. Remember, the skin is edible!

Notes

Cooking Just for Two? Cut the ingredients in half and just roast 1 acorn squash. The rest of the cooking instructions remain the same.
How to Roast Acorn Squash Seeds:
  • Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
  • Wash acorn squash seeds in water, and pat dry.
  • Place the dry seeds in a small bowl. Toss with olive oil (as much as you need to coat the seeds; the amount will vary depending on how many seeds you have); season with salt.
  • Spread seeds in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Roast for 15 minutes, or until the seeds begin to pop. Allow the seeds to cool on the tray before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the roasted acorn squashCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 203mgPotassium: 747mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 965IUVitamin C: 23.7mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 1.5mg
Keyword: acorn squash recipe, roasted acorn squash
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Blair Lonergan

This post was originally published in October, 2015. It was updated in October, 2018.

blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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Comments

  1. Ok, this looks so amazing, I’d totally eat this for dessert even! I bet this yummy squash would be the first dish to disappear on Thanksgiving! Yum!!

  2. What a totally decadent and delicious way to fix Acorn Squash!! I’m pining so I can come back and make this for the big Turkey Dinner!!

  3. Wowee wow wow wow. This looks like dessert! And any dinner/dessert combo in one is a huge YES in my book (major sweet tooth over here). Amazing Blair!

  4. 5 stars
    These pictures are so gorgeous and I just LOVE acorn squash! Thank you for sharing this recipe, pinning for later.

    1. Hi, Marian! Yes, I think so — although I’ve never tried that myself. In general, cooked squash should freeze fine, though. 🙂