Life
13 Butternut Squash Recipes Because Pumpkin Is So Last Fall
Forget summer cobblers and say good-bye to cookouts. Were you planning to fire up the grill for old times' sake? Too bad. Because fall is here, and we’re bringing out the gourds. Mostly, this means one big pumpkin party, all day, every day until spring. There are lattes to drink and pies to bake — but even as you nibble on pumpkin spice Oreos, let’s not forget the seasonal underdog: butternut squash.
Sure, it may not have the decorative appeal of pumpkin. You can’t carve it. You can’t stick a candle in it. And you definitely can’t go to the butternut patch and Instagram the heck out of it. But here’s what you can do: since butternut squash is totally down for whatever you’re craving, you can turn it into a whole season of cozy fall foods, from creamy soup to risotto. Move over, pumpkin. There’s a new gourd in town.
Image: Naturally Ella
Curried Squash Skillet
This curry-infused skillet would be perfect as a hearty side, or as a vegan main dish. Thanks, Naturally Ella!
Image: Naturally Ella
Thai Lettuce Wraps
How Sweet It Is lightens up the classic Thai chicken wrap with pan-roasted butternut squash.
Image: How Sweet It Is
Croquettes
Need a mid-day pick-me-up? Love and Lemons serves these airy croquettes with yogurt sauce.
Image: Love and Lemons
Nachos
Bulk up your standard nacho with the dynamic duo of fall: Butternut squash and sage. Thanks, How Sweet It Is!
Image: How Sweet It Is
Enchiladas
Even your enchiladas are getting the butternut treatment. Pinch of Yum pairs hers with tomatillo sauce.
Image: Pinch of Yum
Winter Salad
This salad is everything you love about cooler weather in a cup. Verses from My Kitchen tosses butternut squash with its fall friends, golden beets and figs.
Image: Verses from My Kitchen
Risotto
Over at Love and Lemons, risotto gets a heavy dose of autumn. Bonus points if you top it off with seared scallops.
Image: Love and Lemons
Linguine
Surprise! Butternut squash makes a killer sauce, too. Cookie + Kate dresses her linguine up with creamy sage and squash.
Image: Cookie + Kate
Pasta Bake
Creamy pasta not doing it for you? Throw it all in the oven, à la Naturally Ella.
Image: Naturally Ella
Polenta
Say hello to fall in a bowl. Topped with sautéed mushrooms, this butternut squash polenta is just plain good for the soul. Thanks, Wild Greens and Sardines!
Image: Wild Greens and Sardines
Rigatoni Pasta Pie
Yes, pasta pie is a thing — and it’s even better with butternut squash. Half Baked Harvest drizzles a decadent butternut sauce over rigatoni before covering it with more cheese…because duh.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Whoopie Pies
And now, for another pie: The whoopie kind. If you need your squash on the go, these maple-filled confections from M. Eva-Marie are just the thing.
Image: M. Eva-Marie