30 Best Acorn Squash Recipes (2024)

Home Dinner 30 Best Acorn Squash Recipes

By Heather

5 from 1 vote

Jul 14, 2022, Updated Aug 02, 2022

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Get ready to cook your way through fall with this delicious collection of acorn squash recipes! Enjoy a simple air fryer or instant pot acorn squash recipe, take your pick from plenty of delicious stuffed squash ideas, or try something new with acorn squash bread or acorn squash curry! From hearty main dishes to satisfying sides, there’s so much you can do with this delightful and versatile seasonal ingredient.

Ready for some hearty, seasonal dishes to get through the chillier months? You’re going to love cooking your way through the cold with these delicious acorn squash recipes!

You can keep it simple by cooking your squash in the air fryer, instant pot, microwave, or on the grill. For something more filling, try acorn squash stuffed with lasagna, breakfast, quinoa, chicken chili, wild rice, and more. Did you know you can even make acorn squash muffins or bread? The possibilities are endless!

Whether you’re looking for a hearty main dish, easy side dish, or anything in between, there are so many amazing ways to cook with winter squashes like acorn. Make the most of the season with this delightfully versatile ingredient!

1. Air Fryer Acorn Squash

The air fryer is great for cooking squash quickly and still giving it a wonderfully roasted taste and texture! You can make your squash savory with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or prepare it sweet with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.

2. Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

Craving a fall side that’s healthy but still hearty? Tender roasted squash stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and your choice of grape tomatoes or raisins, then topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese is sure to deliver!

3. Oatmeal Stuffed Acorn Squash

Shake up your breakfast routine with this delightful dish! Apples, cranberries, pecans, and oatmeal spiced with brown sugar and cinnamon are stuffed into an acorn squash and roasted to fall perfection.

4. Acorn Squash Breakfast Bowl

Start your morning the right way! Roasted acorn squash is stuffed with cauliflower kale rice and topped with a poached egg for a breakfast recipe that’s paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and oh-so-satisfying.

5. Lasagna Stuffed Acorn Squash

Hearty ground beef, tomato sauce, and three types of cheese turn this veggie-packed meal into Italian-inspired comfort food! It’s lower carb, easy to make, budget-friendly, and ready in about 30 minutes.

6. Acorn Squash Mac And Cheese

You won’t believe how creamy this mac and cheese turns out when you add acorn squash! If you have picky eaters, this is a great way to add a veggie to their plate without them even noticing.

7. Acorn Squash Mashed Potatoes

Nutty acorn squash and buttery Yukon gold potatoes come together for a festive, flavorful side dish everyone is sure to love! It’s a healthier alternative that tastes even better than traditional mashed potatoes.

8. Turkey Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

You’ll love this quick and easy dinner recipe! Protein packed turkey, mushrooms, apples, and plenty of melty cheddar cheese create the perfect combination of sweet and savory that’s ready in less than an hour.

9. Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash

Indulge your craving for the flavors of the southwest with ground beef, vegetables, and spicy pepper jack cheese stuffed into a hearty winter squash. Make this one with spaghetti or acorn squash!

10. Acorn Squash Soup

This warm, hearty soup makes an excellent fall side or vegetarian main. Caramelized roasted squash gives the soup a thick and creamy texture while savory herbs and a touch of honey make it taste like true holiday comfort.

11. Acorn Squash Pasta

Brown butter acorn squash pasta tossed with toasted hazelnuts, sage, and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The hazelnuts add just the right amount of crunch!

12. Roasted Acorn Squash

When you’re looking for a simple, uncomplicated side, this recipe is just what you need! You’ll use a few seasonings to elevate the flavor, but the acorn squash is definitely the star of the dish.

13. Microwave Acorn Squash

In a rush? Use your microwave to cook acorn squash in about 10 minutes flat! Prepare it sweet with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, or keep it savory with a little salt and pepper. It’s so quick and easy, you can’t go wrong!

14. Instant Pot Acorn Squash

This recipe is fast, full of flavor, and super delicious thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot! It cooks in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven, but still keeps that great squash texture. Cook it sweet or savory!

15. Sweet And Spicy Acorn Squash

Squash slices tossed in a spicy blend of chipotle, garlic, honey, and soy make for a delicious seasonal side dish fit for weeknight dinners and holiday feasts alike! You can roast, bake, or even grill your slices.

16. Grilled Acorn Squash

Grilling squash adds incredible flavor that goes beautifully over a salad. Mix up a quick citrus vinaigrette, toss it with arugula, throw on some dried cranberries and goat cheese, then serve the squash wedges on top!

17. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

I’m not sure what I love more about this recipe, the presentation or the taste! The cheesy quinoa filling develops a crispy top while baking that is simply irresistible while chopped parsley and green onion add wonderful fresh flavor.

18. Acorn Squash Curry

Treat yourself to comfort in a bowl! Savory, slightly spicy curry is cooked down with red lentils, then combined with roasted and tender squash and chickpeas over hot rice with a generous sprinkle of cilantro.

19. Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash

A healthy vegetarian filling of quinoa, dried cranberries, pine nuts, fresh herbs, and chickpeas is stuffed into delicious roasted acorn squash for a plant-based meal the whole family will love!

20. Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Maple roasted acorn squash is served over arugula with pomegranate and pumpkin seeds, then drizzled with a vinaigrette made from red wine vinegar, olive oil, pomegranate juice, and maple syrup for a beautiful medley of fall flavors!

21. Mashed Acorn Squash

This dish is deliciously savory with a sprinkle of coconut sugar to add just the right amount of sweetness. It’s a great alternative to mashed potatoes and makes a wonderful side for any occasion.

22. Acorn Squash Bread

Whip up a super-easy acorn squash puree, mix with a few basic ingredients, spread it into a bread pan, and toss it in the oven. In about an hour, you’ll have 2 loaves of moist and delightful squash bread!

23. Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash

The rich and spicy beef enchilada filling complements the subtly sweet flavor of the acorn squash beautifully! The filling comes together in one pan on the stove while you roast the squash, then simply stuff and enjoy.

24. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Acorn Squash

A sweet mash of ground beef, pumpkin puree, onion, and red bell pepper is seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic, then stuffed into roasted acorn squash for a dish that’s sure to be an instant family favorite!

25. Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

If you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan main dish to serve this fall, wild rice stuffed acorn squash is for you! It’s full of color, big flavor, and rich texture, plus it looks absolutely beautiful while serving.

26. Chicken Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash

Craving chili but looking for a way to cook with seasonal produce? Good news: chicken chili and acorn squash are a match made in heaven! And who doesn’t love a one-dish meal where you can eat the bowl?

27. Acorn Squash Salad

You’re going to go crazy for this delightful combination of kale, pumpkin seed brittle, and pomegranate tossed in a creamy maple tahini dressing and topped with bites of roasted acorn squash!

28. Maple Pecan Roasted Acorn Squash

Squash boats are the perfect vehicle for buttery maple syrup topped with crunchy toasted pecans! You can enjoy this dish with a spoon straight out of the squash or mash it all together for a great alternative to mashed sweet potatoes.

29. One Pan Chicken With Acorn Squash

Sheet pan dinners are perfect for busy weeknights, especially ones that include tender chicken breasts, brown sugar bourbon bacon, slices of sweet acorn squash, and plenty of fresh sage on top!

30. Acorn Squash Muffins

A combination of grated acorn squash and a mashed banana along with a few other basic ingredients are all you need for these glorious warm-spice muffins! The crunchy streusel topping really takes them to the next level.

More squash recipes

  • Spaghetti squash recipes
  • Air fryer spaghetti squash
  • Roasted delicata squash
  • Fried yellow squash

30 Best Acorn Squash Recipes (3)

5 from 1 vote

Acorn Squash Recipes

By Heather

30 delicious and easy acorn squash recipes plus this simple roasted cubed acorn squash.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 28 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 5 cups cubed acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

  • Line a baking sheet with foil.

  • Put cubed acorn squash on baking sheet. Pour olive oil over the squash.

  • Sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the squash to coat and then spread out in a single layer.

  • Cook for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the squash over and cook another 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 624mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 766IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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30 Best Acorn Squash Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best tasting acorn squash? ›

Table Ace Acorn Squash is well-known as the best tasting acorn squash on the market.

Do you peel acorn squash before eating? ›

Good news: you don't need to peel acorn squash. Its hard, grooved skin softens significantly as it cooks, and it's edible, too. If you do want to remove the skin, wait until after you cook it, at which point it will peel right off.

Which tastes better butternut or acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash is milder in taste and slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash: Its sweet, nutty flavor is additionally muted by the watery character of its flesh. Still, most recipes that call for acorn squash can be made with another members of the squash family, such as Hubbard or butternut.

Should squash be cooked cut side up or down? ›

Scoop the seeds out, place it cut side down on a pan with sides that has been oiled and cook until tender - a knife inserts through the skin and easily into the flesh. Up and down is the only way to do it correctly. You need to bake it with flat or cut side down to trap the juices in.

How do you cut acorn squash too hard? ›

The first and most important thing to have on-hand is a very sharp chef's knife or a longer, thick utility knife. Lay the squash on it's side. Raise a knife 3-4 inches above the squash and give it a little chop to break into it. Using your other hand, press down on the top of the blade and slice all the way through.

Is it OK to eat a whole acorn squash? ›

It's definitely OK to eat squash skin,” Rayna Joyce, vegetable production manager at Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont, told me. “Some (winter) squash have really delicate skins and they become tender when cooked. You can bake them and eat the whole thing.”

Is it OK to eat raw acorn squash? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

How healthy is acorn squash? ›

This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

How do you make acorn squash easier to peel? ›

how to peel an acorn squash
  1. Soften acorn squash by using one of the above methods: boil, steam, or microwave.
  2. After softening the squash, add to cold water and chill for 5 minutes until able to handle.
  3. The safest way to peel an acorn squash is to use a vegetable peeler.
Oct 14, 2022

Do I cover squash when baking? ›

Rub the flesh of the squash with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Place the squash cut sides up on a small baking sheet, and cover tightly with foil. Bake until the flesh is tender and a knife can be inserted easily, about 50 minutes.

What is the sweetest acorn? ›

But, surprisingly, a few amazing Holm oak trees bear acorns that taste great with no trace of bitterness. These are what we call true sweet acorns, and yes, they are the real deal in terms of flavour and texture.

What is the most popular squash? ›

The most popular varieties are crookneck, pattypan, and zucchini, although you might see eight-ball squash and zephyr throughout the summer at greenmarkets. Zucchini, both green and yellow, are available year-round at the grocery store, but like all other varieties of summer squash, it's best from early to late summer.

What does table queen acorn squash taste like? ›

They taste like a cross between a pumpkin and an acorn squash. The flavor is delicate and sweet.

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