Roasted Delicata Squash is an easy, flavorful side dish with a naturally sweet and nutty flavor that comes to life when baked. This recipe highlights the squash's tender texture and caramelized edges, needing only a drizzle of olive oil, a couple of herbs, salt, and pepper for a deliciously simple preparation. Perfect for fall, it’s a healthy, crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.
Delicata squash is one of my favorite winter squashes because when roasted to golden brown, the skin tenderizes and you can actually eat it! It is such an easy side dish that is a great addition to any weeknight meal or your Thanksgiving table. This roasted delicata squash recipe has great flavor and is the best way to
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A simple side dish that everyone can enjoy: This might be a welcomed change-up from your typical veggie side dish. Delicata squash is so fun because you can eat the whole thing, skin, and everything!
- Edible Skin: The reason this is my favorite squash is because the skin is edible, which means no peeling before cooking. The reason you can eat is because this squash has thinner skin than other squash like spaghetti squash or acorn squash.
Ingredients You Will Need
Delicata Squash: a nutrient-dense vegetable rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium, supporting immune health and digestion. It has a mildly sweet flavor with a hint of nuttiness, the creamy texture, and tender flesh pair well with both savory and sweet seasonings.
Olive Oil: It is really important to get a high-quality olive oil and one that is 100% olive oil and single origin, the food industry likes to cut corners when it comes to oils so be sure you check your labels.
Garlic Powder: is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps fight many diseases like the common cold, heart disease, and others.
Parsley: Parsley is a versatile herb that goes great in many dishes. It is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins that support your brain health, immune system, and even your bone health.
Sage: an aromatic herb that has many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It can help with digestive health, oral health, and skin health.
Recipe Variations
Other spices: This is an easy recipe to use other spices you like best can be used! Change it up and use warmer spices like cinnamon. The natural sugars in this squash make it great for the delicious warm spices of fall and winter, much like acorn squash.
Other toppings: A small drizzle of maple syrup or balsamic glaze would be very good on delicata squash. If you aren't dairy-free, goat cheese and parmesan cheese both can be a great addition to this recipe after it finished cooking, too.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F degrees.
Cut the squash. Cut each end of the squash off (the stem end and the bottom). Cut the squash in half, length-wise. Scoop all the seeds out into the trash and slice them into ½-inch slices.
Season the squash. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and evenly space out the squash on the sheet pan. Be sure the squash slices are in a single layer. Coat the squash in olive oil and all the seasonings.
Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the squash for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip all the squash to the other side. Bake for another 10-15 minutes. Or until the squash starts to brown.
When the squash is finished take it out of the oven, serve it with your favorite meal, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Sharp Knife: a very sharp knife makes cutting squash so much easier. This may be common sense, but squash can be very hard so make sure you have a knife that will make your life a little easier.
- Not just a great side dish: Some of my favorite ways to use this simple roasted delicata squash can be added to any fall salad, into soups, or used leftover in a veggie scramble.
- Safety First: Since squash can be hard to cut, I recommend being very careful and using a cutting board that either has non-slip grips on it or putting a wet paper towel under the cutting board so it doesn't slide around.
Storage Tips
The roasted delicata squash can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat it, I recommend the microwave, air fryer, or tossing it back in the oven until warm.
What To Serve It With
Proteins: Turkey, Whole Chicken, Steak
Other Sides: Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Veggies, roasted brussels sprouts
Salads: Fall Kale Salad
FAQs About Recipe
Delicata squash can be found in grocery stores from late summer to early winter. When picking a squash out at the store, you want it to be very yellow with green stripes. If it is light green colored, that means it isn't quite ripe.
Easy Roasted Delicata Squash
Ingredients
- 1 Delicata Squash
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- ½ teaspoon Sage
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F degrees.
- Cut each end of the squash off (the stem end and the bottom). Cut the squash in half, length-wise. Scoop all the seeds out into the trash and slice them into ½-inch slices.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and evenly space out the squash on the sheet pan. Be sure the squash slices are in a single layer. Coat the squash in olive oil and all the seasonings.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the squash for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip all the squash to the other side. Bake for another 10-15 minutes. Or until the squash starts to brown.
- When the squash is finished take it out of the oven, serve it with your favorite meal, and enjoy!
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