Sweet butternut squash, roasted until deeply caramelized, meets a rich glaze of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. It's a classic autumn side dish that transforms firm squash into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat. You'll love how the warm spices mingle with the natural sweetness as it bakes. Serve this alongside roasted meats or enjoy it as a cozy, standalone comfort food when the weather turns crisp.
Prep
10 min
Cook
50 min
Total
1 hr 0 min
Servings
2
Ingredients
1 butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
2 T. butter
2 to 4 T. brown sugar, packed
2 t. cinnamon
Instructions
1Place the prepared squash halves cut-side down on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Baking cut-side down first traps steam, helping the squash cook evenly.
2Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully turn the squash halves over so the cut sides face up.
3Top each squash half with 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
4Return the squash to the oven and bake at 350 degrees for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, until the flesh is completely fork-tender.
Notes
Prep: Use a sharp, heavy chef's knife to carefully halve the squash, as the raw flesh is quite dense.
Scaling: A single medium butternut squash yields two servings. You can easily double the ingredients and use a larger baking sheet for more guests.
Storage: Keep leftover baked squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or a 350-degree oven until heated through.