Our Best Squash Recipes

Roasted Kabocha Squash and Herb Salad

At Josto, a restaurant in Cagliari on the island of Sardinia, a simple winter squash and herb salad made such an impression on us that we wanted to re-create it back at Milk Street. In our rendition of the dish, the dressing is rustic, a mixture of ha

By Courtney HillSeptember 24, 2026

Agrodolce Acorn Squash

This roasted acorn squash gets instant, rich layers of tangy-sweet flavor from a quick glaze-like sauce based on the Italian agrodolce.

By Malcolm JacksonOctober 31, 2022

Baked Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut squash, used two ways, infuses risotto with flavor and adds caramelized sweetness.

By Courtney HillNovember 15, 2022

Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash

Inspired by classic Italian pasta with pumpkin, this recipe pairs the earthy sweetness of butternut squash with warm nutmeg, woodsy herbs and salty-savory Parmesan. The cheese is sprinkled on midway through roasting so it browns and crisps in the oven

By Rose HattabaughOctober 17, 2023

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

This aromatic, colorful soup, inspired by a recipe in “Bollywood Kitchen” by Sri Rao, gets its rich flavor from two spice blends (garam masala and curry powder), plus coconut oil and whole-milk yogurt. If you like, substitute vegetable broth for the c

Bulgur and Winter Squash Pilaf

Bulgar pilafs are popular throughout the Middle East, and this version, featuring hearty winter squash, combines the nuttiness of bulgur with the earthy sweetness of butternut squash. The grain and squash cook in about the same amount of time, so the

By Calvin CoxNovember 11, 2022

German-Style Winter Squash Bread

This golden braided loaf, with a brioche-like texture, is flavored with roasted butternut squash and a touch of warming allspice.

By Rose HattabaughDecember 21, 2021

Spicy-Sweet Dry Curried Squash

Indian kaddu ki sabzi inspired this wonderfully fragrant, richly flavored dry curry. In place of kaddu, or pumpkin, we opted to use varieties of winter squash—namely acorn or delicata—that are similar in texture and taste to pumpkin but have thin, edi

By Courtney HillAugust 11, 2022

Afghan-Style Braised Butternut Squash

This is our version of the Afghan pumpkin dish called borani kadoo. We use butternut squash instead of pumpkin since it is readily available throughout the year, and swap tomato paste for the fresh tomatoes called for in many versions. Keep an eye on

By Elizabeth MindreauNovember 11, 2022

Three-Ginger Butternut Squash Gingerbread

This gingerbread packs a peppery triple-punch thanks to three forms of ginger—ground, fresh and candied. Butternut squash keeps the crumb plush and moist. For ease, we use frozen squash, sold in 10- or 12-ounce packages. Either size works, but the 12-

By Wes MartinMarch 27, 2025

Sopa Seca with Butternut Squash

Sopa seca, which translates to “dry soup” from the Spanish, is a Mexican dish that typically features toasted pasta cooked with broth and tomatoes. The toasted pasta absorbs the liquid, yielding noodles that are “dry,” but rich with the flavors of sou

Thai Red Curry Squash Soup

We take a shortcut and reach for store-bought Thai red curry paste to make this silky, rich soup. Together with coconut milk, ginger and lemon grass, it gives the soup incredible body and fragrance, as well as a little heat. To add another level of fl

By Courtney HillNovember 5, 2021

Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Kale

This simple curried soup, pairing sweet butternut squash with hearty kale, is one of Pierre Tham’s all-time favorites.

Short Rib and Butternut Squash Tagine

A savory-sweet bowl of beef and butternut squash, inspired by Moroccan tagines (but cooked in an Instant Pot).

By Courtney HillAugust 9, 2023

Buttery Hazelnut and Winter Squash Tian

This winter squash side comes together easily. It takes its name from a classic French Provençal dish of vegetables baked in a shallow, round earthenware vessel called a tian. Either a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or an 8-inch square baking dish works f

Sake and Soy-Braised Kabocha Squash

Kabocha, which translates from the Japanese as “pumpkin,” is a variety of winter squash originating in Japan. Short, squat and green with light mottling and stripes that run from top to bottom, kabocha is orange on the interior, with sweet flesh that

By Calvin CoxNovember 18, 2021

Pork, Corn and Butternut Squash Stew

This colorful stew is loosely based on Argentinian locro, a stick-to-your-ribs dish that traditionally includes multiple cuts of fresh and cured meats, hominy, legumes and winter squash. The flavors here skew sweet from the corn, tomatoes and butternu

Roasted Butternut Squash with Hoisin and Chives

Hoisin mixed with rice vinegar and sesame oil makes a salty-sweet-tangy-nutty dressing for tender chunks of roasted butternut squash. You can purchase already peeled and cut squash from the grocery store, but keep in mind that if the pieces are smalle

Butternut Squash and Feta Toasted Pearl Couscous

We toast pearl couscous to bring out its nutty, wheaty flavor, then combine it with subtly sweet butternut squash and earthy chickpeas. A sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese adds sharp, salty notes that complement the other flavors in this hearty one-p

By Julia RackowOctober 15, 2019

Spiced Couscous with Butternut Squash and Pistachios

Inspired by the rich, fragrant spicing of Moroccan tagines, we created this skilletful of vibrant, textural couscous.

By Rose HattabaughApril 25, 2022

Sri Lankan Winter Squash and Coconut Curry

In Colombo, Sri Lanka, home cook Mallika Fernando and her husband, Allan, taught us to make poosanikai kootu, an easy one-pot pumpkin curry in a rich, fragrant coconut base. Butternut squash works well in this recipe, but if kabocha is available, it’s

By Courtney HillAugust 13, 2025

Mashed Butternut Squash with Cumin and Chili

In this recipe, we balance the sweet, nutty flavor of butternut squash with earthy cumin and spicy, smoky chili. Rather than steam or boil the squash, we roast it in a moderately hot oven to caramelize some of the sugars and concentrate the flavors, a

By Courtney HillNovember 24, 2021

Roasted Butternut Squash with Tahini and Za’atar

Milk Street Facebook Community member Jason Lewis, of Philadelphia, roasts butternut squash and red onion, then finishes them with a tahini-lemon-garlic sauce and a dusting of za’atar, the Middle Eastern herb, spice and seed blend. Before roasting, we

Chicken Tagine with Butternut Squash and Spinach

A tagine is a North African stew cooked in a shallow, conical clay pot that goes by the same name. This richly aromatic dish features the warm spices and sweet-briny flavor profile common in Moroccan cooking. To simplify prep, look for already peeled

Indian-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Yogurt

In his book “Bollywood Kitchen,” filmmaker Sri Rao offers a pureed butternut squash soup with flavors that are bold and vibrant, yet comforting. Our adaptation, like his, includes fresh ginger and warm spices to complement the natural sweetness of squ

By Courtney HillAugust 6, 2018

Garlic-Chili Mashed Butternut Squash with Pine Nuts

We love the interplay of the sweet, savory and nutty flavors in Sabrina Ghayour’s take on butternut squash in her cookbook, “Bazaar.” This is our version of her recipe, which also plays up the textural contrast between toasted pine nuts and dense, cre

By Courtney HillFebruary 10, 2020

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ginger and Five-Spice

Instead of pureeing butternut squash and loading it up with butter, we cut it into chunks and roast it, seasoning it with fresh ginger and Chinese five-spice to complement its natural sweetness. You will need two large, heavy rimmed baking sheets. The

By Phoebe MaglathlinOctober 8, 2018

Toasted Pearl Couscous with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

Toasting pearl couscous before cooking it with liquid brings out the pasta’s wheaty, nutty notes and an enticing aroma. In this recipe, we pair the couscous with butternut squash for creamy texture and subtle sweetness, then add pops of flavor with ca

By Courtney HillOctober 13, 2020

Roasted Butternut Squash with Dukkah and Brown Butter

Credit for this recipe goes to Los Angeles-based chef Chris Feldmeier, who gave us the idea of enhancing sweet roasted butternut squash with dukkah, an Egyptian nut and seed crumble. While variation on dukkah abound, we make ours with cashews and a fr

By Courtney HillMarch 3, 2022

Roasted Acorn Squash with Browned Butter–Orange Vinaigrette

This elegant, wintry side dish was inspired by a recipe from “Gjelina” by chef Travis Lett. Deeply caramelized roasted squash is finished with a sauce of browned butter, orange juice and white wine vinegar, the bright acidity of the liquids balancing

By Julie RackowOctober 16, 2019

Roasted Butternut Squash with Chickpeas, Herbs and Tahini

This colorful vegetarian dish, inspired by a recipe in “The Lebanese Kitchen” by Salma Hage, matches the sweetness of roasted butternut squash and shallots with a tangy, nutty lemon-tahini dressing. We toss the squash and shallots with tahini and oil

Pasta with Butternut Squash, Browned Butter and Almonds

In northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions, Christmas means pasta with velvety pumpkin and almond-rich amaretti cookies. Inspired by this holiday classic, we developed a weeknight-simple dish featuring similarly warm, comforting flavors.

By Dimitri DemopolousApril 25, 2023

Pasta with Winter Squash, Kale and Goat Cheese

This hearty, autumnal pasta dish is perfect for cold weather. We use delicata or acorn squash, two thin-skinned varieties that don’t require peeling, so prep is that much easier. Thinly slicing the squash ensures it cooks quickly under the broiler, be

By Courtney HillDecember 7, 2021

Roasted Acorn Squash with Orange-Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette

We roast acorn squash in a hot oven for deeply caramelized flavor, velvety texture and skin tender enough to eat, no need for peeling. While the squash is cooking, we whirl a simple vinaigrette in the blender to drizzle on at the end. It includes oliv

By Malcolm JacksonOctober 17, 2023

Za’atar-Roasted Butternut Squash with Toasted Pine Nuts

Oven-roasted butternut squash and sliced red onion seasoned with za’atar, then finished with tahini and pine nuts, is the creation of Milk Street Facebook community member Judie Spero, of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We added just a couple accent ingredie

By Courtney HillMarch 30, 2022

Winter Squash with Raisins, Almonds and Caramelized Onions

A riff on the Sephardic Moroccan dish called cassolita, this elegant skillet-cooked side is a delicious interplay of sweet, savory and warm spices, an unmistakably North African flavor profile. And the contrast in textures—silky squash, plump raisins

By Courtney HillSeptember 30, 2021

Roasted Winter Squash with Lime, Chili and Cilantro

Roasted squash shines when we use spicy, tangy ingredients to banish one-note flavors. Lime, garlic and chilies add kick; brown sugar creates a glaze-like coating with molasses notes that enhance the earthy-sweet squash. Kabocha is a Japanese pumpkin

By Courtney HillOctober 4, 2022

Chicken Tagine with Apricots, Butternut Squash and Spinach

This spicy, fruity chicken stew is based on tagine, a classic North African dish that cooks meat, vegetables and fruit mostly in their natural juices. We love it because the richness of the dish comes from layers of flavor, not laborious browning. The

By Elizabeth GermainJune 19, 2017

Butternut Squash with Pumpkin Seeds, Cilantro and Pickled Jalapeños

Employing our oven-fried vegetable technique, we roast cubes of nutty-sweet squash tossed in a mixture of cornstarch and oil, plus a few seasonings. The starchy coating creates a crisp, well-browned crust while the interiors become silky and tender. W

By Dimitri DemopolousOctober 17, 2023

Roasted Butternut Squash with Cumin Seeds, Feta and Pistachios

This flavor-packed winter squash side dish is an adaptation of a recipe from “365: A Year of Everyday Cooking and Baking” by Meike Peters, an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. The subtle earthy sweetness and velvety texture of roasted bu

By Courtney HillOctober 12, 2020

Pork Tenderloin and Acorn Squash Traybake with Paprika and Caraway

Pork tenderloin cooks quickly because of its slender shape, and its mild flavor pairs well with a wide variety of ingredients. This dinner-on-a-baking-sheet is seasoned with a combination of caraway seeds (grind them in a spice grinder or with a morta

By Diane UngerApril 23, 2024

Afghan-Style Braised Butternut Squash with Garlic-Mint Yogurt

This is our version of the Afghan pumpkin dish called borani kadoo. We use butternut squash instead of pumpkin since it is readily available throughout the year, and swap tomato paste for the fresh tomatoes called for in many versions. The garlicky, m

By Elizabeth MindreauAugust 9, 2021

Roasted Acorn Squash with Orange-Herb Salad and Hazelnuts

With its green skin, golden-orange flesh and unique, scalloped exterior, roasted acorn squash makes for an especially attractive autumnal dish. We like to use a very hot oven so the slices develop flavorful caramelization while becoming tender and cre

By Rose HattabaughNovember 23, 2021

Harissa-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

This creamy, comforting squash soup stars harissa, a bright, tangy-hot chili paste from northern Africa. Harissa varies in heat level, so use more or less depending on the brand and your spice tolerance. Paprika adds smoky sweetness, while cumin contr

By Malcolm JacksonOctober 17, 2023

Turkish-Style Stuffed Flatbreads with Butternut Squash and Cheese

Gozleme, a traditional stuffed Turkish flatbread, is made by filling an unleavened dough called yufka then cooking the bread on a wide, round griddle. For a quick weeknight version, we use flour tortillas. The non-traditional vegetarian filling here i

Toasted Pearl Couscous with Butternut Squash, Kidney Beans and Feta

This simple but satisfying vegetarian dish gets loads of flavor simply by toasting the pearl couscous to bring out notes of nuttiness and caramelization. Butternut squash adds color and subtle sweetness, while kidney beans and a good dose of cumin bri

By Julia Rackow & Courtney HillApril 7, 2020

Chilean-Style Bean, Butternut and Corn Stew

This red, chili-spiced Chilean-style soup brings back late-summer vegetal flavors with frozen corn and squash.

By Diane UngerNovember 15, 2022

Rigatoni with Tomato, Butternut and Red Pepper Puree

Milk Street Facebook Community member James Adcock of Bellevue, Washington makes a pureed tomato pasta sauce that’s rich and velvety even without cream. He blends sautéed onion, canned whole tomatoes, steamed butternut squash and roasted and peeled re

By Courtney HillFebruary 5, 2021

Haitian Pumpkin and Beef Soup

Pumpkin puree and butternut squash balance the savoriness of this soup

By Jenn LaddOctober 16, 2017

Spanish-Style Lentil, Chard and Butternut Stew

This take on lentil stew is is based on a recipe from Clifford A. Wright, food writer and expert on Mediterranean cuisine. With a base of earthy lentils swirled with chard leaves and studded with chunks of butternut squash, the stew satisfies with it

By Courtney HillApril 6, 2021