Description
Roasting butternut squash with brown sugar creates a delightful side dish that brings warmth to your table. Sweet caramelization and simple seasonings turn this humble vegetable into a comforting companion for your main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pound butternut squash
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cooking Liquid:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Peel your butternut squash and slice it in half lengthwise at a 45-degree angle. Remove seeds with a spoon and discard them. Cube the squash into 1-inch uniform pieces.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon until the mixture looks glossy and smooth.
- Drop your squash cubes into the seasoning mixture. Use a spatula to coat each piece thoroughly, ensuring every cube gets an even layer of glaze.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange your squash cubes in a single layer without overcrowding, leaving small gaps between pieces.
- Slide the baking sheet into a 400°F oven. Roast for 25-30 minutes, using tongs to rotate and flip the cubes once at the 15-minute mark.
- Check your squash for caramelized edges and fork-tender texture. When golden brown spots appear, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
- Let the roasted squash rest for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a serving dish. Serve immediately while the cubes are warm and glistening.
Notes
- Always choose a firm, evenly colored butternut squash without soft spots for the best roasting results.
- Cut the squash into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, helping the squash caramelize perfectly.
- For a lower sugar version, replace half the brown sugar with a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of brown sugar by 25%.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg