Description
This easy roast acorn squash recipe with Maple Butter Glaze delivers an incredibly rewarding and flavorful result with minimal effort, perfect as a comforting side for autumn dinners or a simple weeknight treat. It features tender squash glistening with a rich, sweet, and caramelized glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 medium acorn squash (about 1.5 lbs)
- 0.25 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (28g)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (15ml)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
- a few sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
- a pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Acorn Squash: Wash the squash thoroughly. Carefully cut it in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Slice each half into uniform crescent shapes, about 0.5-inch thick.
- Season and Roast: In a large bowl, toss the squash slices with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until fork-tender and slightly browned.
- Prepare the Maple Butter Glaze: While the squash roasts, combine 2 tablespoons of melted butter (or vegan alternative), 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and any desired spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne) in a small bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Glaze and Finish Roasting: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle the Maple Butter Glaze over the roasted squash slices, tossing gently to coat each piece. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbling and slightly caramelized on the edges of the squash. If the glaze looks too thick, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of hot water before drizzling.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, use 2 Tbsp (28g) vegan butter or coconut oil in place of regular butter for the glaze. To make it less sweet, reduce maple syrup by 1 Tbsp or use a drizzle of honey instead. Ensure squash is in a single layer on the baking sheet for even browning; use two sheets if needed. If squash isn’t tender, it needs more roasting time; cover with foil if edges brown too fast. For the glaze to stick, ensure the squash is hot when added and toss thoroughly before returning to the oven. Butternut squash can be used as a substitute if acorn squash is unavailable.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 0.5 squash
- Calories: 230 calories
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: roast acorn squash, maple butter glaze, easy side dish, autumn recipe, healthy, vegetarian, weeknight meal, caramelized squash