Oven Roasted Acorn Squash (2024)

Learn how to make oven roasted acorn squash with brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecans for the perfect side dish. If you loved my Butternut Squash Casserole, you have to give this a try!

Squash of all shapes and sizes are a delicious and affordable fall dinner option, but oven roasted acorn squash might be my favorite. It's so simple to make, so comforting and warm, and just downright delicious when done right.

The maple syrup compliments the natural sweetness of the squash, while the pecans add a little texture. It truly has the best flavor. And, Fall is the best time to make this sweet squash recipe because that's when acorn squash is in season.

Not only is this oven roasted squash great for weeknight dinners, it would also be so good for Thanksgiving. It looks impressive, smells divine, and no one but you will know how easy it was to make. Plus, it doesn't take a lot of time to prepare!

Let me show you how to make this delicious side dish. Actually, you could even eat this easy recipe as a main dish.

🧂 Ingredients

• Acorn squash
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Dark brown sugar
• Pure maple syrup
• Pecans
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

This is meant to be a brief overview of our easy roasted acorn squash recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.

🔪Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.
2. Line a rimmed sheet pan with tinfoil or parchment paper.
3. Using a sharp knife, cut the acorn squash in half and place the acorn squash cut sides up on a baking sheet. Remove the seeds and stringy bits.
4. Lightly drizzle the squash halves with olive oil - or use a pastry brush to avoid adding too much olive oil. Only the least little bit is needed.
5. Bake the squash until it is golden and tender, about 1 hour.
6. In a mixing bowl combine the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and chopped pecans with cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
7. Remove the squash from the oven.
8. Spoon the mixture evenly between the six halves.
9. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the pecan mixture is caramelized.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:

• Cutting Board
• Chef'sKnife
• Rimmed Baking Sheet
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Spoons
• Dry Measuring Cups

Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier!Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤ ❤ ❤

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this Oven Roasted Acorn Squash recipe.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

Serve your acorn squashes with Brown Sugar Butter (or add a little cinnamon to that to make cinnamon butter - just add 8oz of room temperature butter and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl).

You'll love this as a side for our apple pork slow cooker meal.

My favorite way to enjoy acorn squash is actually with pasta. I cut up the roasted squash and toss it with penne or rigatoni with a little extra drizzle of olive oil. However, this squash is equally delicious with my Best Juicy Turkey Recipe or Roasted Chicken.

You could even use this squash recipe for one pan-meals. Place each side of the squash on a rimmed baking pan and use our Best Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe to make an easy weeknight dinner. The nutty flavor of the squash and the sweetness from the maple syrup is delicious with pork.

📖 Variations

While I always recommend that you make our recipe just as it is written the first time, here are a couple of different ways you can make this recipe. (Please note, we have not tested these variations).

• Substitute walnuts for the pecans if that's what you have on hand.
• To really wow guests, sprinkle the top of the acorn squash with crispy crumbled bacon as a garnish.
• Use honey instead of maple syrup.
• For smaller portions, cut it so that you have squash slices instead of halves.

If you want to get really crazy and make a more savory side dish you can omit the maple syrup. Roast the halved squashes with just olive oil and a little parmesan cheese and/or pumpkin seeds. Of course, then it's pretty much a whole other dish at that point!

⏲️ Storage

Roasted acorn squash can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4 days.

However, whole uncooked acorn squash can be kept in a cool, dark space (similar to potatoes) for 1-2 months. Just make sure wherever you're storing it is dry.

😋 Similar Recipes

Next time, try one of these tasty side dish recipes, which would also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table:

• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
• Baked Spaghetti Squash Recipe
• Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Recipe
• Make Ahead Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon Butternut Squash

This is one of the squash recipes included in our collection of the 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes.

Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Not ready to make this for dinner tonight? Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram@jugglingactmamaor #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!