This is a sweet and savory side dish and it’s irresistibly good. Roasted Acorn Squash is simple enough for a weeknight with Roast Chicken and stunning on a holiday table alongside a Juicy Roast Turkey.  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. We love all kinds of squash recipes from Spaghetti Squash to Butternut Squash and let’s not forget pumpkin recipes! If you are a fan of squash recipes, this Roasted Acorn Squash is a must-try!

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

If you’ve never tried Acorn Squash, this is a great one to start with – you will fall in love! I was pleasantly surprised at how much both of my kids loved it. I suppose it’s hard to resist the combination of maple syrup and butter. Watch my daughter’s adorable reaction in the video below. I didn’t realize the camera was still rolling when she walked in for her taste test but her expression was priceless. You bet we will be making this on repeat!

Roasted Acorn Squash Video

Watch Natasha make this Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash. The flavor combination is memorable and you will love how easy it is. I hope you’re craving it by the end of the video.

What is an Acorn Squash?

Acorn squash has the shape of an acorn (hence the name) with grooves or ridge lines running from the tip to the stem. Similar to pumpkin, it has a tough skin that is difficult to cut through, so be sure to review our tips below before getting started. Most acorn squash is dark green on the outside but can vary in color from orange to yellow. Inside, they have pale yellow flesh. Pro Tip: Pick a squash that feels heavy for its size and look for a squash with smooth skin without soft spots. Like with a watermelon, a green acorn squash should ideally have a deep orange spot where the squash was facing the ground indicating it was picked at the right time.

Ingredients

The ingredients here are super simple, refrigerator and pantry staples.

Acorn Squash – use 1 squash to serve 2 people (see tips below on buying squash).Olive oil – use extra light olive oil for a milder flavor to brush the squash.Unsalted Butter – it may seem generous to add 1 Tbsp per squash half but once you cut into it, you’ll be glad you were generous. Butter definitely makes this better. Maple Syrup – use real maple syrup here and you will want more for serving.Cinnamon – ground cinnamon gives this lovely Fall flavor notes. Fine Sea Salt – add 1/2 teaspoon of salt before roasting and more to taste after if needed.

How to Cut an Acorn Squash

How to Roast an Acorn Squash

Pro Tip: To infuse flavor, after the squash has been roasting for 30 minutes, brush the cut side of the squash with the juices accumulated inside the squash.

Common Questions

How to Serve Acorn Squash

Once the Squash is out of the oven, drizzle on a little more maple syrup before serving to really amplify the natural sweetness of the squash. You can serve a roasted squash in several ways:

Out of the Shell – score the flesh, being careful not to cut all the way through the skin then use a fork to scoop out the flesh, and enjoyCut into wedges – cut the halves in half again or even into smaller slices, arrange on a platter and drizzle with maple syrup. Add to salad – add chunks of roasted acorn squash to a salad as we did in our Roasted Sweet Potato Salad.

Make-Ahead

To Refrigerate: Let roasted squash cool to room temperature then cover and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 400˚F until warmed through. Freezing: Acorn squash will lose some quality in texture when frozen, but roasted acorn squash can be frozen. Scoop out the flesh and set it in an airtight freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 2 months. It would be a good option for making an acorn squash soup later.

I hope this Maple Roasted Acorn Squash becomes a new favorite Fall recipe for you! It’s as cozy and comforting as it looks and you will enjoy every bite.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

If you love the simplicity and ease of roasted vegetables, you are sure to find some new favorites in this list:

Roasted CauliflowerOven-Roasted CarrotsSpaghetti SquashRoasted Brussels SproutsCrispy Roasted Potatoes Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 93Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 70Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 15Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 18Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 35Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 77Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 4Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 99Maple Roasted Acorn Squash  VIDEO  - 11