Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

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Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans Tips for Making Roasted Acorn Squash Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans Ingredients Instructions Recipe Video Reader Interactions Subscribe Comments Leave a Reply FAQs References

Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans

By Katie Moseman 30 Comments

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Rich, sweet roasted acorn squash is doused in maple butter and filled with maple butter roasted pecans to make it even more delicious.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (1)

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans

Once the tremendous heat of summer fades into the coolness of fall, I feel free to enjoy cooking even more than usual. It seems like less of a drawback to turn on the oven, and instead of resenting its warmth, I look forward to it.

For that reason, I’m much more likely to experiment with baking during fall. It adds a pleasant seasonality to the rhythm of life here in Florida, where there are far fewer visual signals (such as turning leaves) with which to observe the change of seasons. Roasting is a wonderful cooking method and can be used for all kinds of vegetables from squash to Brussels sprouts.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (2)

Roasted squash is a well-known fall side dish, but I’m adding my own twist by incorporating some contrasting flavors. In addition to maple butter and crunchy pecans, I’ll be garnishing the finished roasted acorn squash halves with blue cheese crumbles. The piquancy of blue cheese and the sweetness of the squash bring an elegant balance to this dish.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (3)

Blue cheese crumbles are a wonderful garnish. You can sprinkle a little or a lot on salads, side dishes, soups, pizza, sandwiches, and main courses. It adds flavor without as many calories as blue cheesing dressing.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (4)

The combination of roasted squash, nuts, and sharp cheese works well in many combinations. Although maple roasted acorn squash is my personal favorite, there’s no reason why you couldn’t change it up. I think cubed butternut squash, walnuts, and goat cheese would be really good, too!

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (5)

Tips for Making Roasted Acorn Squash

  • Be careful when slicing the acorn squashes in half. The skin is tough, but control the force of the knife so that it doesn’t slip and endanger you.
  • Did you know that Grade B maple syrup works wonderfully for cooking? Most of us are familiar with Grade A, which has a more delicate maple flavor, but Grade B is stronger and well suited for keeping its flavor even when cooked. Either grade will do for this recipe.
  • If you’re looking for the best of pecans, seek out Georgia pecans. (I may be biased; my mom is from Georgia and has gifted me with many a bag of Georgia pecans over the years.) And say it “PEEH-cans,” not “puh-CAHNS” if you want to sound authentic.
  • I usually have unsalted butter in my fridge, but if you have salted butter, simply omit any extra salt.

If you like this recipe, you’ll LOVE my new cookbook that’s all about veggies!

Watch the Video Below!

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (6)

5 from 10 votes

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Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans

Rich, sweet roasted acorn squash doused in maple butter and filled with maple butter roasted pecans, then topped with blue cheese crumbles.

CourseSide Dish

CuisineAmerican

Keywordautumn, comfort food, fall, thanksgiving, winter

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 282 kcal

Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

  • 2acorn squash
  • 2tablespoonsunsalted butter
  • 2tablespoonsreal maple syrup
  • 1pinchsea salt
  • 1/2cupchopped pecans
  • Blue Cheese crumblesto taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a baking dish with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.

  2. Halve the squashes, then scoop out and discard the seeds and strings.

  3. Melt the butter with the maple syrup and sea salt, then stir to combine. Brush the cut sides of the squash with the mixture, allowing it to puddle in the center of each half.

  4. Stir the pecans into the remaining butter/syrup mixture and set aside.

  5. Bake the squash in the oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and scoop the pecans evenly into each squash half. Return the pecan-filled squash halves to the oven for 10 minutes.

  6. When finished, garnish with blue cheese crumbles and serve warm.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans

See Also
Salad Recipes For Healthy EatingSwiss Chard Gratin Recipe | Feed Me Phoebe30 Clean Eating Recipes - Iowa Girl EatsRoasted Squash With Turmeric-Ginger Chickpeas Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 282Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 115mg5%

Potassium 844mg24%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 1020IU20%

Vitamin C 23.7mg29%

Calcium 129mg13%

Iron 1.9mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (7)

If you’re a maple syrup fan, you also must try these Maple Glazed Cashews.

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (8)

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Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (9)

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Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Cindy Gordon

    Now THAT looks delicious! I love the addition of blue cheese! I have to look for that! It would be so easy to add to dishes! My Mother in Law LOVES blue cheese, I’ll share this with her!

    Reply

  2. Bites for Foodies

    You’ve combined some of my favourite foods, root veggies and pecans!! Also, I LOVE salt…I probably eat way too much more than I’m supposed to!

    Reply

  3. Censie Sawyer

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (10)
    I love acorn squash but I have never thought to prepare it with Maple butter. What a great flavor combination. Talk about a totally perfect fall recipe. Yum. I am going to make this next week.

    Reply

  4. Kristy @ Mommy Hates Cooking

    Real Maple Syrup is one of my favorite things in this world! Especially this time of year, it is the ultimate form of comfort food. What a great idea to add cheese to roasted Acorn Squash!

    Reply

  5. Kim Croisant

    What a perfect recipe for my Thanksgiving dinner. My husband loves Blue Cheese and I love pecans in anything!!! This combination is perfect, and I can only hope I can fit it in to my already planned menu. Thank you.

    Reply

  7. Margaret

    In Alabama we would never say peeh- cans. Only a yankee ? would say it that way. We say puh-cahns! I am making this for lunch today though.

    Reply

    • Katie Moseman

      Hi Margaret!

      It’s funny how in different areas of the South, it’s pronounced differently. Hope you enjoy! 🙂

      -Katie

      Reply

  8. cakespy

    DANG does this ever look good!! I love the idea of this maple butter business! <3 These little squashes are like nests of nourishing awesome.

    Reply

    • Katie Moseman

      This is possibly my favorite vegetable recipe ever. We had our first cold day today (Florida!) and it sounds really appealing to me even at 8 in the morning.

      Reply

  9. Darian

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (11)
    Tried this today; to my surprise, it was delicious!

    Reply

    • Katie Moseman

      So glad you liked it!

      Reply

  10. Dorothea

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (12)
    I’ve got this in the oven right now. Making it for my daughter and husband while I babysit. It smells delicious! Can’t wait to hear how the like it.

    Reply

  11. Beth

    I’m excited to try this! My mom just moved in with us for a short time and she loves acorn squash.

    Reply

  12. Melissa Chapman

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (13)
    That acorn squash looks amazing so I have to look for them where I shop. I love how you combined all those different flavors into a great fall dish.

    Reply

  13. Tasheena

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (14)
    OMG! This recipe looks so yummy. Looking forward to giving it a try. I know my family is going to love it.

    Reply

  14. Denay DeGuzman

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (15)
    What a gorgeous fall recipe! It looks so delicious. I’ve saved it to Pinterest to make it later this month. This acorn squash is stunning.

    Reply

  15. Amber Myers

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (16)
    Wow, this looks so delicious! I’ve never had anything like this. I need to try it out for sure. These photos are making me drool.

    Reply

  16. GiGi Eats

    I 10000% need to pick up an acorn squash today!!

    Reply

  17. Marysa

    My grandmother used to make acorn squash with maple syrup, so this recipe really takes me back to my childhood. I haven’t used maple butter before but it all sounds like a great combination.

    Reply

  18. Lisa Favre

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (17)
    This recipe looks absolutely incredible! I love squash and pecans so it’s totally meant for me – can’t wait to try and make it myself!

    Reply

  19. rika livingston

    I love squash! The maple butter and pecan flavors sound perfect for fall!

    Reply

  20. Karen Morse

    Okay, I need to give this one a try since I love butternut squash! I love the combination of the maple syrup with the saltiness of the cheese. It’s definitely going to bring out yummy flavors. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  21. Tiffany La Forge-Grau

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (18)
    Wow, I have never thought of something like this. I would really like to make this sometime!

    Reply

  22. HilLesha

    This looks delicious in every sense of the word! I’ll have to give this recipe a try sometime in the near future.

    Reply

  23. Ericka

    Wow! This looks so good! I’m going to making it for the family and see how they like it.

    Reply

  24. Shelley R Zurek

    Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (19)
    My husband loves acorn squash and pecans. What a fantastic recipe for him, acorn squash with maple butter roasted pecans

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Does acorn squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

The good news is that even if you don't want to eat the skin, there's no need to peel the squash before cooking because it easily peels right off after roasting. And to be honest, peeling an acorn squash before cooking is no easy feet because of the ridges.

Explore More ›
How do you freeze and bake acorn squash? ›

To prepare squash for freezing, roast, boil or steam it until the flesh softens. Leave cooked squash in chunks or mash it. Place in airtight containers and freeze for up to 10 to 12 months.

Get More Info ›
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.

Read The Full Story ›
How healthy is acorn squash? ›

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.

See Details ›
Should acorn squash be baked cut side up or down? ›

How to Bake Acorn Squash. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the squash halves cut side up on the baking sheet. (Cut side down works too, but I prefer the slightly firmer texture that you get when you roast it cut side up.)

Read More ›
Why is my roasted squash dry? ›

Don't skimp on the oil.

Some are super-soft and creamy, sort of like a baked sweet potato, while others are a bit more dry and chalky. To prevent these squash from becoming too dry in the oven, make sure to coat them generously with oil.

Read The Full Story ›
What knife is best for cutting acorn squash? ›

The 7-5/8" Petite Chef is a good knife for cutting acorn squash. Its sharp, long blade and comfortable handle allow for more control while cutting.

See More ›
Is acorn squash a low carb food? ›

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.

See Details ›
How to cut an acorn squash for roasting? ›

Place the squash on its side and cut the top and bottom off. Stand it up on the cutting board with the cut side down and use a sharp knife and place it in the center of the squash. Use both hands on the knife to slowly rock the knife back and forth, pressing down until sliced through to the bottom.

Read More ›
How long does baked acorn squash last in the fridge? ›

Cooked acorn squash can be sealed and refrigerated up to four days. Before freezing, acorn squash must be cooked.

Continue Reading ›

What happens if you don't blanch squash before freezing? ›

And while this might seem like it takes a little more planning, it's worth the effort! That's because if you freeze squash when it's raw, the texture will get too watery once it's thawed.

Keep Reading ›
Do you leave the skin on squash when you cook it? ›

Some squash skin is edible, while other types of squash have tough skin that can be removed before cooking. Remove the skin of butternut, hubbard, buttercup, and turban squash. If you enjoy the taste, leave the skin on acorn, spaghetti, kabocha, and zucchini squash.

Explore More ›
Is it OK not to peel squash? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

Get More Info Here ›
How to make acorn squash easier to peel? ›

Place the acorn squash into a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. Boiling the squash will help soften the skin and make the removal process easier. Boiling the squash is ideal for people who are not fully comfortable with using a sharp knife or a serrated peeler.

Know More ›
How do you know when acorn squash is ready to cook? ›

One of the easiest ways is by noting its color. Ripened acorn squash turns dark green in color. The portion that has been in contact with the ground will go from yellow to orange. In addition to color, the rind, or skin, of acorn squash will become hard.

See Details ›

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