Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Side Dish Mashed Butternut Squash

by Lisa Bryan

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Updated Oct 07, 2021

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Mashed butternut squash makes for the perfect side dish on a fall dinner table. It’s smooth, creamy, and loaded with nutrients, for a healthier spin on classic mashed potatoes.

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While most people are searching for mashed potatoes for the holidays, I’m letting winter squash take the spotlight this season. If you know me, I like to take full advantage of seasonal ingredients, and I always love variations.

Case in point, I also love my mashed cauliflower, mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. So let’s have a little fun and turn butternut squash into a tasty mashed dish that compliments almost any main course.

Mashed Butternut Squash Ingredients

Good news – this recipe is a blend of just 5 ingredients! That includes butternut squash, olive oil, butter, salt and pepper. That’s it! The bulk of this recipe is spent roasting the butternut squash (for that delicious caramelization). But after it’s cooked, all you have to do is simply mix the ingredients together and serve.

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How To Roast Butternut Squash

If you haven’t already seen my video on how to roast butternut squash, I’ll quickly recap. But if you’d like to learn more about roasted butternut squash (and how to make it two different ways), make sure to watch that video.

  • Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise. To make it easier to cut, you can slice the ends off and microwave it for a few minutes.
  • Scoop the seeds out with a spoon.
  • Brush olive oil on the butternut squash halves and season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes with the squash laying cut side down on a baking sheet.

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How To Mash Butternut Squash

Once you’ve taken the butternut squash halves out of the oven, let it cool to the touch. Then scoop out the insides into a large mixing bowl to start mashing.

So what’s the best way to mash? Well, there’s a few ways you can do this. You can use either using a hand masher or electric hand mixer. I personally like to use the hand mixer to create that creamy smooth consistency. But it’s up to you.

As your mashing, pour the melted butter on top and season with any additional salt and pepper. For the finishing touch, garnish with rosemary or other herbs for a lovely pop of green color.

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Watch How I Make This Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe

Even though this recipe is easy to whip up, it always helps to watch a quick tutorial video. Give it a watch!

Pair It With These Main Dishes

Because this is a sweet and savory side dish, it will pair perfectly with ingredients such as chicken, pork, or salmon. Here are a few personal favorites I recommend.

  • Basil Chicken with Kumquats
  • Roasted Balsamic Chicken with Brussel Sprouts
  • Orange Glazed Salmon
  • Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Barbecue Ribs with Spiced Rum Pineapple Sauce

Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe | Downshiftology (6)

Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

Mashed butternut squash makes for the perfect side dish recipe on a fall dinner table! It's easy, smooth, creamy, and loaded with nutrients.

Video

Ingredients

Roasted Butternut Squash (Halves)

  • 1 butternut squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup melted butter , or ghee
  • salt and pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Farenheit.

  • Cut the squash in half. Using a sharp knife, cut off the ends by 1/4 to 1/2 inch, slice it in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

  • Brush olive oil onto the cut side of the squash. Use about 1 tablespoon of oil and brush evenly.

  • Season with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you'd like.

  • Roast the halves. Place the squash cut side down on a baking sheet and roast for about 40-45 minutes. The cut edge should just start to caramelize.

  • Take the butternut squash out of the oven and let it cool. Then scoop out the insides into a mixing bowl.

  • Mash the butternut squash with a hand masher or electric beater.

  • Then, pour the butter into the mixture and continue mixing until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Scoop the mashed butternut squash into a bowl and garnish with rosemary or other herbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 20286IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to mash butternut squash, mashed butternut squash

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin? It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

How does Rachael Ray cook butternut squash? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and drizzle with EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and fresh nutmeg and roast until just tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Roast at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and soft. Or, next time you've got the oven on, use up the space to cook a whole squash – simply bake it just as it is until you can insert a knife in easily, then use it over the following days for throwing into salads or to turn into pancakes or fritters.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Food Safety and Storage

Scrub winter squash with a vegetable brush under cool running water before cooking or cutting. Do not use soap. Do not wash squash before storing. Keep squash away from raw meat and meat juices to prevent cross-contamination.

Why is my butternut squash turning brown when I cook it? ›

Cook at 400 degrees — hot — until the squash releases its juices and they are bubbly and brown around the edges. This is a sign that the sugars in the squash have caramelized and its flavor concentrated.

Is butternut squash healthy? ›

Butternut squash offers nutritional values like vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Health benefits of this winter squash include managing high blood pressure, preventing asthma, and promoting healthy skin and hair. Contrary to the name, winter squash is grown in the summer and harvested in the fall.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Do you cook butternut squash cut side up or down? ›

Place squash, cut-sides down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour 2 cups water into the dish around the squash halves. Bake in the preheated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water as needed.

How should the butternut be prepared for cooking? ›

How to Prep and Cook Butternut Squash
  1. Unpeeled, cut in half and baked face down on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper is by far the easiest. You don't even need to remove the seeds before cooking. ...
  2. Peel the uncooked squash (carefully), remove the seedy pulp, and then cut into slices or cubes.
Jan 10, 2024

Is it better to steam or boil butternut squash? ›

The squash also retains most of its nutrients when it is steamed and has a wonderfully sweet butternuttiness to it. Steamed butternut can also be used in a variety of ways – added to salads, mashed, puréed or enjoyed as is with a simple seasoning of your choice.

What is the best way to can butternut squash? ›

To can pumpkin or squash:
  1. Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes.
  2. Boil the cubes in water for 2 minutes.
  3. Fill the jars with cubes and cooking liquid, leaving 1-inch of headspace.
  4. Pumpkin and squash are low-acid vegetables and must be pressure canned. ...
  5. For either method, process pints for 55 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes.

Should butternut squash be cooked face up or face down? ›

Now, place the squash on a lipped baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can cook it face up or face down, but I like to turn the squash face down with the flesh on the parchment paper. Finally, roast your squash for about 50 minutes or until the squash flesh is tender.

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