Caramelized Oven Roasted Butternut Squash – Simple Recipe for Perfect Results
This caramelized oven roasted butternut squash recipe offers a simple and foolproof way to achieve perfectly tender and flavorful squash with minimal effort. Roasting the squash skin-side down with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of water in a hot oven allows the natural sugars to caramelize beautifully, enhancing its sweet and nutty flavor. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a nutritious addition to any meal.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large butternut squash
- 3–4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Generous sprinkle of salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to roast the squash evenly.
- Prepare Squash: Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous guts. Discard the seeds or save them for roasting later if desired.
- Season Squash: Place the squash halves flesh-side down in a dark roasting pan. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the skin and season generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and aid caramelization.
- Add Water: Pour 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan. This will help keep the squash moist during roasting and prevent burning.
- Roast Squash: Roast the squash uncovered in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork. The skin-side down position helps caramelize the natural sugars for a rich flavor.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the squash from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Then scoop out the softened flesh with a spoon and serve as desired.
Notes
- You can drizzle a bit of honey or maple syrup before roasting for an even sweeter finish.
- Use a dark roasting pan for better caramelization results compared to glass or light-colored pans.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your squash.
- Leftover roasted butternut squash can be mashed or used in soups, salads, and grain bowls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 150g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: caramelized butternut squash, roasted butternut squash, oven roasted squash, easy butternut squash recipe, healthy side dish