This roasted butternut squash recipe is one of my favourite comfort foods in the autumn when butternut squash is in season. I roast the squash with plenty of garlic and mix it with spinach. Healthy, creamy and light, I either use it as a side dish for meat or as a main dish for a quiet TV night.
Why butternut squash?
My favourite Autumn squash is the butternut squash, it is less watery than the other squash and therefore creamier. It's taste is buttery and the texture is less stringy than pumpkin.
Butternut squash is pear-shaped and the seeds are only on the bottom part. I am seriously thinking of planting it in my vegetable patch this year and if you are thinking about it too you can find some interesting information on how to grow it in this article:
Growing Butternut Squash Plants – Butternut Squash Cultivation In The Home Garden
With butternut squash, I also make a delicious quiche which you may want to check out: Caramelized squash, ricotta, spinach bacon quiche.
Roasting a butternut squash
Butternut squash can be roasted cut in half or cut in chunks. I prefer to cut it into chunks as I like to flavour the chunks with plenty of garlic and herbs.
In this recipe I use thyme, but I also use Provencal herbs or rosemary.
- Cut the butternut squash in chunks, remove the seeds, you don't need to peel it. Lay on a baking tray over parchment paper, add crushed garlic cloves, thyme and season with salt and olive oil
- Roast in a hot oven at 390 F - 200 C for 30 minutes, turn the chunks and roast for another 30 minutes
- Once is done, remove from the oven and let it cool down
- Once cold, the skin will easily peel with a knife
- Mash the butternut squash with the garlic
Preparing the potatoes
- Clean the potatoes and boil them in salted water for 20 minutes. Pierce with a knife to make sure they are done
- Strain them
- Peel the potatoes while still hot
- Mash them
Making this roasted butter squash recipe
- In a pan combine the mashed potatoes, the roasted butternut squash, the butter and the milk
- Stir over a medium/low heat until it is warm, then add the spinach
- Cook until the spinach is done
- Transfer onto a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Tips
- Make sure you turn the butternut squash every 30 minutes while it is roasting
- If you like the roasted flavour like me (yes, practically burned), roast the butternut squash a bit longer until it becomes crispier
- DON'T peel the potatoes before boiling them, they will get too watery
- If you don't have a ricer, use a fork or a masher but do not use a blender as it will make the mash waxy
- If you'd like to make a roast butternut squash soup, just add more milk till you get the consistency you desire
How to serve this roasted butternut squash recipe
This is a very versatile recipe, as many of my vegetable recipes are. It can be served as a side dish for meat like roasted chicken, sausagemeat and chestnut stuffing rolls or homemade chicken nuggets.
In a cold autumn day, I like to eat it as a main dish or make a roasted butternut squash soup. I add a little bit more milk to make it creamier, plenty of parmesan and serve it as a soup with a nice slice of fresh baguette.
More recipes with squash you may like
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For more side dishes recipes, check out the category: Side Dishes
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If you are making this Roasted butternut squash mash, leave your comment below I would love to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋 Roasted butternut squash mash
Ingredients (Commissions Earned)
- ½ butternut squash
- 3 medium potatoes
- 3 cloves peeled garlic cloves
- 3 sprig thyme
- 10 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup butter
- salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
Equipment (Commissions Earned)
Instructions
Roasting the butternut squash
- Cut the butternut squash in chunks, remove the seeds, you don't need to peel it
- Lay on a baking tray over parchment paper, add crushed garlic cloves, thyme and season with salt, olive oil
- Roast in a hot oven at 390 F - 200 C for 30 minutes, turn and roast for another 30 minutes
- Once is done, remove from the oven and let it cool down
- Once cold, the skin will easily peel with a knife
- Mash the butternut squash with the garlic
Prepare the potatoes
- Clean the potatoes and boil them in salted water for 20 minutes
- Pierce with a knife to make sure they are done
- Peel the potatoes and mash them
Putting it all together
- In a pan add the mashed potatoes, the roasted butternut squash, the butter and the milk
- Stir until it is warm then add the spinach
- Cook until the spinach are done
- Transfer on a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Notes
- Make sure you turn the butternut squash every 30 minutes while it is roasting
- If you like the roasted flavour like me (yes, practically burned), roast the butternut squash a bit longer until it becomes crispier
-
DON'T peel the potatoes before boiling them, they will get too watery
-
If you don't have a ricer, use a fork or a masher but do not use a blender as it will make the mash waxy
- If you'd like to make a roast butternut squash soup, just add more milk till you get the consistency you desire
Michelle
Butternut squash is my favorite type of squash. I always roast it too. The addition of potatoes, spinach and Parmesan cheese in this recipe caught my eye. I can't wait to try it out.
Laura
Thank you so much. I love it, perfect for a light night dinner
Brian Jones
Butternut squash is fantastic, we grow loads of them as they keep really well if you store them carefully. We have successfully stored ripe squash for months in straw. They are space hungry so and so's though!
I love the addition of spinach in this recipe, definitely gonna give it a try when our crop is ready this year.
Laura
Yes, I was going to try planting them this year. I love them so much
Lesli Schwartz
Yum! I adore butternut squash all year round! I will definitely be trying this mash.
Laura
thanks, I am sure you will like it
Beth Neels
Butternut squash is my favorite! I haven't ever made it Parmesan cheese yet! Can't wait to try that!
Laura
it is very nice
Susan
I love the addition of spinach! Such delicious flavors... pinning this!
Laura
Thank you, it is a nice addition