Nourish your body and comfort your soul with savory winter squash recipes this fall and winter season.
Winter Squash is an amazing source of nourishment. These squashes, in all their glorious varieties, provide calories and flavor while also storing well.
Pumpkin tends to get most of the attention but there are so many other kinds. While they do lend themselves marvelously to sweet dishes and desserts let’s not overlook the savory uses either.
Make the most of those winter squashes for your fall and winter seasonal meals with these ideas.
Don’t Stress About Variety
Recipes abound but don’t worry about using the correct variety. Use buttercup instead of butternut, pumpkin instead of hubbard, etc.
There are subtle flavor differences, of course, but for the most part no recipe will be a failure when substituting one variety for another.
Butternut squash with its smooth sides is the easiest winter squash to peel with a regular vegetable peeler. The more ridged varieties can be peeled, however with a little more work. Use what’s on hand.
Cook the Entire Squash, Freeze the Excess
Winter squashes can mighty big things. There will likely be leftovers. For example, only 3 cups of cubes are needed for a pot of soup. Toss those cubes in the soup. Roast the other half of the squash in the oven and freeze that puree for use later.
Please note: it is not safe to can winter squash puree, the cubes can be processed in a pressure canner but not the puree. Freeze the puree, please.
Savory Winter Squash Recipes
Get inspired with these ideas for soups, side dishes, and main courses sure to please everyone at your table.
Soups
Whether pureed or chopped, winter squash makes for fine soup bases and additions
Hubbard Squash & Sausage Soup
Hubbard Squash Sausage Soup is a creamy and hearty soup perfect for warming up on a cold day.
Butternut Squash, Fennel and Pear Soup
A hearty, gluten-free, and nutritious soup. Incredibly delicious without heavy cream, this soup is loaded with vegetables, and even has pears thrown in the mix.
Slow Cooker Winter Squash Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Winter Squash Beef Stew is a comforting, homemade stew made with lots of vegetables, including butternut and acorn squash.
Creamy Kabocha Potage
This vegan Kabocha Potage is thick, creamy and super satisfying especially during the winter season. Made with only 6 simple ingredients, you’ll have yourself a soup to warm your soul!
Vegan Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup with Winter Squash
Vegan Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup with Winter Squash is a no fuss recipe packed full of nourishing, plant based ingredients that eats like a meal:
Vegan Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup
This rich and creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup is so cozy and delicious. Packed with nutrients, this soup is easy to throw together in your pressure cooker or stove top (instructions provided) and perfect for weeknight or a holiday spread.
Side Dishes
A little winter squash in a variety of side dishes is perfect for man fall meals and feasts.
Butternut Squash Grits
Creamy and satisfying and easy to prep over several days to ease the rush of holiday feasts, Butternut Squash Grits are sure satisfy.
Pumpkin Casserole
Pumpkin casserole is a creamy and savory side dish perfect for fall and winter meals.
Homemade Bread Stuffing with Butternut Squash & Bacon
Crispy bacon, chewy cubes of toasted, buttery bread, and a smattering of tender butternut squash make this Homemade Bread Stuffing a total must make for your holiday dinner.
Pumpkin Risotto with Walnuts & Blue Cheese
Pureed pumpkin is often associated with pumpkin pie, but here is folded through a classic and simple risotto. Add a few toasted walnuts and blue cheese to the top and you have perfect autumnal comfort food!
Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta
These butternut squash crostini appetizers elevate this humble gourd to super star status!
Gluten Free Cheddar Delicata Squash Fritters
These crispy delicata squash and cheddar fritters make a delicious kid-friendly dish. It is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.
Main Dishes
Let the winter squash star in the main dish for weekday meals and feasts alike.
Kolokotes (Cypriot Squash Turnovers)
Kolokotes (singular kolokoti, pr. Koh-loh-ko-TES), are traditional Cypriot pastries, similar to turnovers, calzone, empanadas, boureki or pies, made with squash or pumpkin.
Vegan Mushroom and Pumpkin Shepherd's Pie
This vegan lentil shepherd’s pie is a modern, plant based version of the classic – a rich mushroom and lentil base, topped with creamy mashed potato and pumpkin. Total cold weather comfort food.
Squash Carbonara with Crispy Prosciutto and Sage
Perfectly luscious and delicious dairy-free Squash Carbonara. This dairy-free squash carbonara recipe gets its silky texture from a butternut squash sauce – that’s correct, it’s packing veggies!
Pumpkin Pasta in Parmesan Garlic Cream Sauce
Pasta shells with roasted squash and a thyme-infused parmesan garlic cream sauce. Simple and luscious.
Butternut Squash Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
Simply seasonal chicken stir fry with butternut squash, ginger, broccoli, carrots, and more! This easy meal comes together in less than an hour and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Acorn Squash & Lentil Egg Bake
This delicious Acorn Squash & Lentil Egg Bake is a filling, vegetarian, nutrient-packed, high protein, high fiber budget-friendly recipe that costs just $1.71 per serving.
Hoisin-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash
This Hoisin-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash is loaded with flavor, yet so simple to make. Protein-packed chickpeas and fresh veggies are tossed in a sweet and savory glaze, and roasted to perfection.
Butternut Squash Quiche
This vegetarian butternut squash quiche is filled with caramelized onions and goat cheese, is easy to make ahead of time, and is perfect for brunch!
Chelsea says
Hi Kathie! I just wanted to thank you for including one of my recipes in your roundup. I’m in good company – I found so many awesome-looking new recipes, too! Thanks again!
Cadry says
It’s so true! You can’t have too much squash. It’s essential in the fall. Thanks for including my recipe in your round-up!
Kate says
I just discovered your blog and LOVE it! All of your posts deeply resonate with my own mindset. So thank you! I wanted to ask how you recommend best storing autumn squash as you mentioned in this post.
Kathie Lapcevic says
I generally keep winter squash in an unheated / unused guest bedroom for more tips: https://homespunseasonalliving.com/harvesting-storing-using-winter-squash/
JustineCelina says
Thank you so much for including my Vegan Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup with Winter Squash in this beautiful roundup, Kathie!