11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (2024)

  • Recipes by Ingredient
  • Vegetable Recipes

These creative acorn squash recipes deserve a spot on your dinner table.

By

Katlyn Moncada

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (1)

Katlyn Moncada

Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production.

Learn about BHG's Editorial Process

and

Sarah Martens

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (2)

Sarah Martens

Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years.

Learn about BHG's Editorial Process

Updated on June 20, 2023

Trending Videos

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (3)

The weather's starting to cool down, which means winter squash season is upon us! Shaped like an acorn (hence, the name), acorn squash is about to become your favorite vegetable of the season. Our Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen-approved recipes feature roasted acorn squash, stuffed acorn squash, and even acorn squash soup.

01of 11

Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (4)

If zucchini boats are a summer dining staple for you, stuffed acorn squash is about to be your fall go-to. Here, the winter squash gets a healthy boost with whole-grain bulgur, which is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamin B.

02of 11

Coconut Acorn Squash and Carrot Soup

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (5)

Tender-roasted acorn squash meets creamy coconut milk in this blended acorn squash soup recipe. Don't toss the seeds! Roast your squash seeds in the oven to top your bowl of soup (or to munch on later as a snack).

03of 11

Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (6)

For a simple baked acorn squash recipe, you've got to try this five-ingredient recipe. Maple-roasted with a hint of cinnamon, it's an easy way to add a touch of fall to any meal. Add some orange zest for a bit of brightness.

04of 11

Roasted Acorn Squash and Beet Salad

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (7)

Root veggies like beets take on a much deeper flavor when roasted to perfection. When served with roasted acorn squash over mixed greens, this is one unforgettable salad. Bonus: this is an easy make-ahead recipe, so all you'll have to do is throw on the dressing come dinnertime.

20 Super-Easy Holiday Salads You'll Be Excited to Eat

05of 11

Gluten-Free Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries and Pancetta

View Recipe

This gluten-free stuffed acorn squash recipe is like all your favorite dishes of Thanksgiving combined into one tasty dish. Fresh herbs, cranberries, and chewy rice really layer on the fall flavors.

35 Butternut Squash Recipes You'll Love

06of 11

Acorn Squash with Bacon-Chive Crumbs

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (9)

Bacon-chive crumbs?! Now that's the kind of topping that will set your Thanksgiving sides apart from the rest. For this acorn squash recipe, slices are cooked in your slow cooker, meaning more oven room for pumpkin pies and roast turkey.

07of 11

Warm Indian-Spiced Acorn Squash Salad

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (10)

If you haven't been stocking garam masala (a fragrant Indian spice blend of cinnamon, cumin, pepper, and more) in your pantry, you should definitely start now. Jeweled with pomegranate seeds, you'll want to make this warm-spiced acorn squash recipe all season long.

08of 11

Acorn Wedges with Mozzarella & Tomatoes

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (11)

Inspired by cheesy steak fries, this acorn squash recipe starts with roasted wedges. Top with baked tomatoes and a sour cream mozzarella sauce. A final drizzle of Salmoriglio, an Italian sauce made with lemon, shallot, oil, and fresh herbs, adds the perfect bright finish.

09of 11

Buckwheat & Cheddar Stuffed Acorn Squash

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (12)

This stuffed acorn squash recipe showcases the combination of creamy squash and nutty, chewy buckwheat groats. The filling is rounded out with cheddar cheese, toasted pecans, and dried tart red cherries.

10of 11

Acorn Squash with Orange-Cranberry Sauce

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (13)

This acorn squash recipe highlights the best of fall flavors. Top wedges of slow cooked acorn squash with a homemade cranberry-orange sauce made with marmalade, raisins, and cinnamon. One BHG home cook shared, "I brought this to a potluck at work and everyone raved about it! Very yummy."

11of 11

Roasted Squash Soup

View Recipe

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (14)

A touch of honey is our Test Kitchen's secret to coaxing out the sweetness of acorn squash. Puree the squash with butter, chicken broth, and cream for a comforting fall soup.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

11 Recipes Featuring Acorn Squash as the Star Ingredient (2024)

FAQs

Does acorn squash raise blood sugar? ›

Unlike refined carb sources like white rice and white pasta, acorn squash is an excellent source of fiber, which slows digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes feelings of fullness ( 6 ).

Is acorn squash good or bad for you? ›

This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

Is acorn squash good for your liver? ›

The orange color of acorn squash is a sign of high beta-carotene, which is a liver tonic and good for eyes.

Is acorn squash better for you than butternut squash? ›

Acorn squash: It has less vitamin A than butternut but provides even more fiber (9 grams per cup) and potassium (896 mg). Pumpkin: This squash has beta carotene and also contains more than twice as much alpha carotene as butternut squash.

What happens if you eat too much acorn squash? ›

Toxic squash syndrome can result from continuing to eat the bitter fruit. Some of the most rampant symptoms and indicators of toxic squash syndrome include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Toxic squash syndrome can be so severe that it can cause swelling in the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys.

Does squash raise blood pressure? ›

It can help your blood pressure.

Butternut squash is high in potassium, which can help keep your blood pressure in check. Managing your blood pressure can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease. Its fiber helps with blood sugar.

When should you not eat squash? ›

And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten. Color - the outer skin of the squash is a quick way to check for any sign of spoilage.

Is acorn squash inflammatory? ›

Acorn squash has more carotenoids than any other food. Carotenoids are a powerful antioxidant that help fight inflammation and prevent cell damage.

Can you lose weight eating acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash has very low-fat content, with only 0.1 grams per 100g. Most of this fat (0.042grams) is polyunsaturated, a beneficial source for weight loss. Furthermore, it contains fewer sugar molecules than other winter and summer varieties. As a result, squash is a perfect low-carb diet.

Is acorn squash a laxative? ›

Acorn Squash

Starchy vegetables like winter squash also provide fiber to help you poop. Acorn squash is a small winter squash with orange flesh; its exterior is typically green but can also be white or orange.

Is acorn squash OK for kidneys? ›

Kidney-friendly squashes include yellow crookneck, scallop, and spaghetti. Some that should be enjoyed on occasion in half serving sizes (due to their potassium content) include pumpkin, butternut, acorn, hubbard and zucchini.

What is the best vegetable to cleanse your liver? ›

A diverse group that includes cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, cruciferous vegetables are rich in nutrients, including vitamins C and K, and carotenoids. They also contain compounds called indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane that are well studied for specifically supporting liver health.

What is the healthiest squash you can eat? ›

Acorn squash, delicata squash, and butternut squash are just a few examples of winter squash that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Try incorporating the winter squash varieties listed above into your diet this fall and winter for an easy way to care for your health from the inside out.

Is acorn squash a Superfood? ›

Acorn squash is rich in antioxidants, which can neutralize potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. These antioxidants can help to protect people against health issues like arthritis, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

Is acorn squash A carb or vegetable? ›

Acorn squash is primarily a carbohydrate, though it does supply small amounts of protein too. This fiber-rich vegetable is full of many nutrients, with some of the most notable being magnesium, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, and iron.

Is acorn squash high in carbs? ›

Acorn squash is a starchy vegetable, meaning it's higher in carbs than non starchy ones, like broccoli and spinach. If you're watching your carbs, limit acorn squash to one cup or about 25% of your plate.

What vegetable raises blood sugar? ›

Starchy potatoes

“Potatoes are a vegetable, but the health value of all vegetables are not interchangeable. White potatoes in particular have a very high glycemic load. As a result, a baked white potato can also raise blood sugar even more than a glazed doughnut.”

Which is better for diabetics sweet potato or butternut squash? ›

Nguyen said that people with diabetes can "confidently" eat butternut squash and sweet potato interchangeably, "as per their individual needs of carbohydrate intake." However, when in doubt, always consult with your doctor (and moderation is key).

What squash has the most sugar? ›

Butternut Squash- Cooked butternut squash has nearly 22 grams of carbs, but nearly 7 grams of fiber, which makes it higher in sugar than many other vegetable options.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5608

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.