18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (2024)

Acorn squash is easy to spot in harvest displays and at farm stands because of its iconic shape, distinct ridges, and dark green skin. They are readily available in a handy size (about two servings per squash), which lends well to one of our favorite preparations: halved, seeded, and roasted until golden brown, withbutter and brown sugarmelting into a pool inside. The result is a delicious, buttery half for each person to enjoy.

What to Do With Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is more neutral and less intensely sweet than butternut or hubbard squash. This means it is complemented by the richness of butter, cream, cheese, or a generous coating of olive oil before roasting or baking. Like many winter squashes, acorn squash pairs well with a wide spectrum of flavors—sweet, spicy, and savory.

And like other winter squash, it's versatile and can be roasted or puréed, even pickled or marinated, and served as part of a relish tray or antipasto platter. It has one special feature not found in other winter squash—its perfect shape and size are ideal for stuffing. Used as a cup for grains and other stuffings, acorn squash is an ideal vegetarian option for a holiday table.

Acorn Squash Skin

The thin skin of the acorn squash makes it easier to cut and peel than many larger, hard-skinned squashes. Another plus: The skin of the acorn squash is actually edible, so you can cook it in the skin and eat the entire thing.

Buying Acorn Squash

Look for acorn squash in early the fall through December. When you buy acorn squash, it should have dark green skin, sometimes with yellow-orange patches or striations. Choose ones that have a smooth, taut surface, free of blemishes. Always buy squash with the stem attached. Not only does it make a pretty handle—it keeps the squash from spoiling. When you lift it up, if your squash feels light, chances are it will be dry when you cut it open. Store at room temperature for up to one month in a cool, dark place.

Our Very Best Winter Squash Recipes, Starring Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, and More

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Spicy Squash Salad With Ginger-Lime Dressing

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (1)

Break out of your green salad rut with this lively number.

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Roasted Squash With Sesame Seeds and Cumin

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (2)

Put a savory spin on sweet acorn squash with cumin, coriander, and sesame seeds.

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Sausages With Acorn Squash and Onions

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (3)

Plump pork sausages mingle well with slices of sweet acorn squash in this 30-minute sheet-pan dinner.

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Baked Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (4)

Simple and delicious, this easy fall side might be our favorite way to enjoy acorn squash.

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Acorn Squash With Mixed Grain Stuffing

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (5)

Use this brilliant stuffed squash idea as a template: Squash halves are seasoned with an aromatic spice mix and roasted, cut side down, until just tender. Then, they are filled with a flavorful, whole-grain stuffing before baking again. Try this version with its Middle Eastern accents and the crunch of juicy pomegranate seeds, and you might decide to keep it on repeat.

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Pickle-Dressed Acorn Squash and Beets

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (6)

Steaming squash is a revelation: It can be sliced easily with the skin left intact, and it is cooked in under 10 minutes. You can marinate it any way you like. Dressed as it is here in an acidic marinade, it makes a lovely addition to a holiday relish tray, along with other vegetables and cheese.

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Acorn Squash Purée

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (7)

Baking or steaming then blended with butter, salt, and a sprinkle of nutmeg, produces a versatile acorn squash purée. Use it in soups, sauces, and anywhere you would use pumpkin.

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Stuffed Acorn Squash With Quinoa and Pistachios

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (8)

This main-course-worthy dish is a real looker—and it's substantial, too: Quinoa is a great source of protein. If you're serving vegans, swap the feta for some nutritional yeast, which has a mild, nutty, cheesy flavor.

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Sourdough Stuffing With Apples, Acorn Squash, and Hazelnuts

This enticing bread stuffing shows us how easy it is to prepare acorn squash for use in stuffing. Without peeling it first, slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and chop the squash into cubes. Save the seeds for roasting later.

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Chicory Salad With Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (10)

Sweet, maple-glazed acorn squash balances out the slightly bitter crunch of frisée and escarole in this elegant salad. The finishing touch is a simple vinaigrette of hazelnut oil, lemon juice, and sherry vinegar.

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Acorn Squash Bisque

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (11)

The smooth texture of acorn squash gives this puréed soup its character. Adding just a little bit of half-and-half and butter makes it extra creamy.

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Acorn Squash Lasagna

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (12)

Ricotta cheese and puréed acorn squash make a creamy, lightly sweet filling for this unique fall lasagna. Using no-boil noodles makes the preparation quicker by half an hour.

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Roasted Acorn Squash With Cinnamon Butter

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (13)

Roasted acorn squash wedges are lightly glazed with warm cinnamon butter for this easy, any-night side. You can make the squash up to one day ahead and simply reheat it in the oven before serving.

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Acorn Squash Soup With Kale

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (14)

Creamy golden acorn squash soup is brightened by kale and garnished with bacon in this hearty soup. Make extra Acorn Squash Purée and freeze it for a quick batch of soup anytime.

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Glazed Acorn Squash

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (15)

This acorn squash side dish couldn't be easier. Simply cut the squash into slices, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and brown sugar, then roast until tender. It's a crowd-pleasing dish.

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Roasted Squash With Onions and Yogurt

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (16)

Wedges of acorn squash are roasted with red onions and topped with Greek yogurt and mint leaves. This side goes well with roasted pork, lamb, or chicken.

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Roasted Acorn Squash With Pomegranate Glaze

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (17)

Acorn squashes are transformed by slicing them into rings and roasting. Then, brushing the rings with a glossy pomegranate glaze perfumed with peppercorns, cinnamon, allspice, and bay leaf toward the end of cooking.

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Acorn Squash Stuffed With Mushrooms and Rice

18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (18)

A hearty combination of cremini or white mushrooms and rice makes a substantial stuffing for acorn squash halves.

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18 Amazing Acorn Squash Recipes That Taste Like Fall (2024)

FAQs

What is the best tasting acorn squash? ›

Table Ace Acorn Squash is well-known as the best tasting acorn squash on the market.

What is the best fall squash? ›

Butternut: This squash is known best for its beige-colored skin and orange flesh. The butternut squash is one of the sweetest types of winter squash, and it is found in grocery stores throughout the year. The flesh is not stringy making it easy to chop up for roasting, sautéing or pureed into soup or sauces!

How do you cook Ina Garten acorn squash? ›

Place 1/2 tablespoon butter and ½ tablespoon maple syrup in the cavity of each squash. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle the squash with 3 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of the squash, until tender when pierced with a small knife.

What is the most flavourful squash? ›

  1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
  2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
  3. 3 • Butternut. ...
  4. 4 • Acorn. ...
  5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
  6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
  7. 7 • Hubbard.

Which squash tastes most like pumpkin? ›

Hubbard Squash

Hubbards are slightly tear-shaped with dark green to pale grayish blue skins and remarkably sweet flesh with a clear pumpkin flavor.

Is there a fall squash? ›

Fall/winter squash are hardier outside to survive the season—and those grown at The Chef's Garden combine the best of both world because, inside, they're tender and delicious. We'll highlight two of our favorites. Our butternut squash 898 packs a powerful punch of sweet and nutty flavor in tender, juicy flesh.

What is autumnal squash? ›

Description. Bred specifically for the UK climate, including the North of England, Autumn Crown Squash combines the best characteristics of colour of a butternut type along with the familiar shape of Crown Prince. These are pale orange coloured on the outside but have deep orange flesh inside.

How do you cook squash Jamie Oliver? ›

Rub the skin of the squash with a little oil, salt and pepper, and if you've got them, pat on any extra herb leaves you have to hand. Place the squash in the centre of a double layer of tin foil, then tightly wrap it up. Bake for around 2 hours, or until soft and cooked through.

Do you eat the skin of roasted acorn squash? ›

Next time you roast a squash like acorn, butternut or honeynut, try leaving the skins on and give them a nibble. Be sure to scrub the skin well, Joyce recommends, to remove any dirt or debris. The pleasantly chewy texture may just surprise you, plus you can never go wrong with more fiber.

Do I cover squash when baking? ›

Rub the flesh of the squash with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Place the squash cut sides up on a small baking sheet, and cover tightly with foil. Bake until the flesh is tender and a knife can be inserted easily, about 50 minutes.

What is the sweetest acorn? ›

But, surprisingly, a few amazing Holm oak trees bear acorns that taste great with no trace of bitterness. These are what we call true sweet acorns, and yes, they are the real deal in terms of flavour and texture.

Which tastes better butternut or acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash is milder in taste and slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash: Its sweet, nutty flavor is additionally muted by the watery character of its flesh. Still, most recipes that call for acorn squash can be made with another members of the squash family, such as Hubbard or butternut.

What is the most popular squash? ›

The most popular varieties are crookneck, pattypan, and zucchini, although you might see eight-ball squash and zephyr throughout the summer at greenmarkets. Zucchini, both green and yellow, are available year-round at the grocery store, but like all other varieties of summer squash, it's best from early to late summer.

Which squash is better butternut or acorn? ›

The principal difference is that a butternut is starchier than an acorn. This makes it smoother in texture, which gives it more versatility in how it is cooked or served. Acorn squash is generally eaten just the way it comes out of the oven or steamer, while butternut can be mashed, puréed, made into soup, etc.

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