Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Maple roasted acorn squash is a mostly sweet, slightly savory side dish that goes perfectly with any cool-weather meal. The maple syrup combined with butter and garlic makes a rich and sweet glaze that caramelizes onto the squash for a truly irresistible treat. You can’t go wrong with this quick and easy side dish for any holiday or family party. We love how it looks on a Thanksgiving table!

From Maple Balsamic Roasted Duck to Maple Pear and Ginger Pie, a little maple syrup can take any dish from good to a complex, sweet, and irresistible dish. Spooning the maple syrup mixture over top of the squash helps the squash to brown as it roasts, and the flavor seeps into each and every bite!

Follow the simple tutorial below to learn how to roast acorn squash so you can enjoy this fall treat all season long.

How to Make Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large mixing bowl, toss squash, oil, salt, and pepper together.
2. Combine syrup, melted butter, and garlic in a small mixing bowl.

3. Spoon half the syrup mixture onto the squash and toss together until evenly coated.
4. Line a sheet with parchment paper. Spread squash pieces onto the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer.

5. Roast squash for about 15 minutes or until squash begins to soften. Flip each piece and brush with more syrup mixture. Continue roasting for 12 to 15 minutes until fork tender and lightly caramelized.

5. Top with fried sage, if using, and serve.

Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Roasted Acorn Squash

If you’ve been intimidated by this little green and orange fruit (yes, acorn squash is actually a fruit, not a vegetable!), just follow these simple tips and tricks for perfectly roasted acorn squash every time.

Choose a ripe squash. When selecting acorn squash, pick ones that are heavy for their size, have no soft spots or bruising, and there is a good mix of orange (not yellow) and green on the skin. If the skin is shiny instead of dull, it’s not yet ripe, and if the squash is mostly orange, it may be too ripe.

Prepare your squash by cutting it in half with a sharp knife and a non-slip cutting board. These babies can be slippery, so be extremely careful when cutting. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pieces with a spoon, leaving the smooth flesh inside. Then, flip the squash flesh side down and slice it into half moons. Slice the squash into 1/2-inch slices to keep cooking as even as possible.

Don’t crowd the pan! When baking acorn squash slices, make sure to leave space in between each slice. This helps the squash caramelize.

Wait for the oven to preheat. Roasting at 400°F is crucial for caramelizing your acorn squash without burning. If you cook lower than this, the squash will cook through but won’t brown up, and if you get the temperature too high, the maple syrup and butter mixture may start to burn.

What to Serve with This Dish

Roasted acorn squash is a delicious cold-weather side dish for any entree, but it goes especially well with these fall and winter favorites:

• Creamed Corn
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
• Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese
• Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
• Citrus Dry Brined Turkey
• Pork Belly Porchetta

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To store leftover roasted squash, place the slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, remove the rind from the squash, puree, and freeze for up to 6 months.

To reheat squash from the refrigerator, Preheat the oven to 400°F, then place the squash on a foil-lined pan and bake for 7-10 minutes or until warmed through. Reheating in the oven warms the squash without making it soggy. If you’re not worried about the texture, you can always reheat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warmed through.

More Delicious Squash Recipes You Will Love