Description
Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash brings autumn comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort. Caramelized edges and sweet warmth make this simple side dish a crowd-pleasing companion for any main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds / 900 g)
Roasting Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (25 g) packed brown sugar
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Toasted pecans or walnuts
- Drizzle of maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for your squash.
- Cube the entire 2-pound (900 g) butternut squash into precise 1-inch chunks, ensuring uniform cooking and caramelization.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons (30 g) melted butter with 2 tablespoons (25 g) brown sugar, 12 teaspoon salt, and 14 teaspoon cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
- Tumble squash cubes into the seasoning mixture, gently coating each piece with the sweet butter glaze.
- Arrange seasoned cubes across the baking sheet, positioning them with small gaps to allow hot air circulation and promote even browning.
- Roast for 25 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then carefully flip each cube to expose another surface to direct heat.
- Continue roasting an additional 15-20 minutes until edges turn deep golden and centers become fork-tender.
- Transfer to a serving platter, scattering fresh chopped parsley and toasted pecans across the top.
- Finish with a delicate maple syrup drizzle for an extra layer of autumnal sweetness.
Notes
- Cube the squash precisely to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning.
- Use fresh brown sugar for maximum sweetness and smooth caramelization on the edges.
- Choose a butternut squash that feels heavy and has a deep, matte skin for the best flavor and texture.
- Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or ginger to customize the roasted squash to your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 145 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg