33 Ways to Cook With Winter Squash That Aren’t Soup

It seems like every winter squash recipe turns into soup, which gets old fast. Squash can do far more than sit in a pot, and it holds up well in all kinds of dishes. It roasts easily, blends into smooth sauces, works in casseroles and balances both sweet and savory flavors. These recipes bring a different angle to the familiar vegetable that dominates winter menus.

Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

Spiralized butternut squash cooks in a skillet with spinach, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts and ricotta. The noodles soften quickly and absorb the garlic and seasoning. The dish comes together in one pan and has a balanced mix of textures.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

Butternut Squash Smoothie

Cooked squash blends with fruit, spices and milk into a thick smoothie. The texture becomes creamy once fully puréed and the drink stays cold and rich when chilled. It uses leftover squash well and requires no cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Smoothie

Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Spaghetti squash strands mix with a creamy pesto sauce in a single pan. The squash absorbs the sauce without falling apart and the entire dish comes together quickly. It works as a simple lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Kabocha Squash Chili

Kabocha squash cooks down in a pot with beans, broth and seasoning into a thick chili. The squash softens and adds body to the final dish. It holds well for leftovers and reheats without losing texture.
Get the Recipe: Kabocha Squash Chili

Stuffed Red Kuri Squash

Red kuri squash roasts until tender, then fills with a mixture of sausage, mushrooms and apples. The filling cooks on the stove before going into the squash and bakes again until cohesive. The final dish slices neatly and has a rich mix of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Red Kuri Squash

Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus

Roasted squash purées smoothly with chickpeas into a creamy hummus. Cranberries, pomegranate seeds and rosemary add color and texture on top. It pairs easily with vegetables, crackers or pita.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus

Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip

This dip blends roasted squash with goat cheese and cream cheese into a smooth mixture. A tart cherry topping adds contrast once spooned over the top. The dip spreads easily and works with chips or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip

Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash halves bake until tender, then fill with a mixture of spinach, artichokes, tomatoes and cheese. The filled squash returns to the oven until the top browns and the filling sets. The dish scoops easily and holds together well.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed Honeynut Squash

Honeynut squash roasts quickly due to its small size and becomes an easy base for stuffing. The filling cooks while the squash roasts to keep prep efficient. It works well as a single serving main dish.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Honeynut Squash

Stuffed Delicata Squash

Delicata squash roasts until caramelized, then fills with a mixture of pork, cranberries, apples, leeks and fennel. The filling cooks on the stovetop and bakes inside the squash until the ingredients meld. The slices hold their shape well.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Delicata Squash

Butternut Squash Pita Nachos

Pita chips top with roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, onions and cranberries. The tray bakes until the toppings heat through and the pita becomes crisp. It serves easily straight from the sheet pan.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Pita Nachos

Roasted Koginut Squash Salad

Koginut squash roasts into tender slices that combine with greens, nuts and simple spices. The squash has a naturally sweet taste and soft texture that mixes well with crisp ingredients. The salad assembles quickly once the squash cools.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Koginut Squash Salad

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Puréed squash forms a smooth sauce that coats pasta while mushrooms and sage cook in a skillet to finish the dish. The sauce thickens as it rests and reheats evenly. It is a simple stovetop pasta that relies on squash for richness.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Roasted Butternut Squash Rigatoni

Roasted butternut squash blends into a smooth sauce that coats rigatoni and creates a rich pasta dish without much effort. The squash softens quickly in the oven and turns into a creamy base once blended with herbs and seasoning. Parmesan adds a savory finish and the sauce thickens as it rests, which makes leftovers hold up well.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Rigatoni

Butternut Squash Tart

This tart layers roasted squash, caramelized onions, sautéed spinach, herbs and two cheeses on a flaky puff pastry crust. Each component cooks separately, then everything bakes together until the pastry rises and the filling sets. The finished tart slices cleanly and works as a main dish or hearty side.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Tart

Butternut Squash Pudding

Cooked squash blends with spices, milk and thickener to form a smooth pudding that sets quickly on the stove. It chills into a creamy dessert with a soft texture and light sweetness. The recipe uses minimal ingredients and comes together with basic steps.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Pudding

Acorn Squash Curry with Crispy Chickpeas

Roasted acorn squash blends into a creamy curry base while chickpeas crisp in the oven. The curry simmers with aromatics and spices until it thickens and coats the squash. The chickpeas add texture on top and the dish works well with rice or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash Curry with Crispy Chickpeas

Butternut Squash Risotto

Roasted squash mixes into Arborio rice as it cooks, creating a creamy risotto without heavy additions. The rice absorbs the squash and broth slowly while stirring develops body and texture. It finishes with herbs and seasoning for a rich, smooth dish.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Galette with Bourbon Drizzle

This galette uses a Parmesan crust filled with roasted squash, caramelized onions and goat cheese. As it bakes, the crust turns crisp while the filling softens and melds together. A bourbon drizzle adds a final layer of flavor once it comes out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Galette with Bourbon Drizzle

Brown Lentil Salad with Roasted Pumpkin and Chicory

Lentils, roasted pumpkin, chicory, pomegranate seeds and sprouts create a hearty salad with strong texture. The dressing combines mustard, tahini, maple syrup and lemon juice and coats the ingredients evenly. Most of the time needed is spent roasting the pumpkin while the rest of the prep stays simple.
Get the Recipe: Brown Lentil Salad with Roasted Pumpkin and Chicory

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Brussels sprouts and squash roast together until caramelized, then mix with pecans and cranberries. The vegetables soften in the oven while still keeping their structure. The final mix works as a side for a variety of meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Winter Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Almonds

Quinoa combines with roasted squash, spinach and almonds for a salad with plenty of texture. The quinoa cooks quickly while the squash roasts, making it easy to assemble the components. A tangy dressing ties everything together and absorbs into the grain as it sits.
Get the Recipe: Winter Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Almonds

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Puréed squash forms the base of a creamy cheese sauce that coats pasta evenly. The sauce thickens quickly and bakes well if you choose a baked version. It has a smooth texture and uses straightforward ingredients you likely already have.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Sprouted Lentil Butternut Squash Pizza

A tortilla or flatbread base is topped with a seasoned squash spread, spinach and cooked lentils. The pizza bakes quickly and comes out crisp with a soft interior. It is easy to portion and works well as a personal meal.
Get the Recipe: Sprouted Lentil Butternut Squash Pizza

Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns

Cooked spaghetti squash mixes with seasoning and binds enough to press into patties. The patties cook in a skillet until the edges crisp and the centers firm up. The result is a simple side dish with a crisp exterior and soft interior.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns

Creamy Butternut Squash and Gouda Pasta with Italian Sausage

This dish blends roasted squash with gouda to create a creamy sauce that coats pasta fully. Italian sausage adds rich flavor and texture while garlic rounds out the base. The sauce comes together in one pan and thickens as it cools.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash and Gouda Pasta with Italian Sausage

Southwest Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash strands mix with beans, corn and peppers under a chipotle style dressing. The squash absorbs flavor while keeping its shape. Everything cooks quickly and combines easily in a single bowl or pan.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Spaghetti Squash

Apple and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash halves roast until tender and are then filled with cooked sausage, apples, sage, breadcrumbs and cheese. The filling forms a cohesive mixture that bakes together inside the squash. It slices neatly and works as a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Apple and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

Butternut Squash au Gratin

Thin slices of butternut squash bake in a creamy cheese sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. The squash softens while the top browns and becomes crisp. The dish sets as it cools and scoops easily from the baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash au Gratin

Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with Kale

This stuffed squash uses sausage, kale and white beans as a filling. The squash roasts while the filling cooks on the stove, allowing for quick assembly. The final bake helps the flavors meld and the squash becomes tender throughout.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with Kale

Autumn Roasted Delicata Squash

Delicata squash roasts quickly since the skin remains on and softens as it cooks. The squash slices caramelize in the oven and hold their shape well once pulled out. It pairs easily with simple toppings or seasoning blends.
Get the Recipe: Autumn Roasted Delicata Squash

Baked Butternut Squash Risotto

Arborio rice, broth and roasted squash bake together in the oven for a hands off risotto method. The rice absorbs liquid as it cooks and forms a creamy texture without constant stirring. Brown butter sauce and nuts finish the dish once it is out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Risotto

Baked Squash Casserole

This casserole combines cooked squash with cheese and crackers before baking into a soft interior with a crisp topping. The prep stays straightforward and the casserole feeds several people easily. It reheats well and keeps its texture.
Get the Recipe: Baked Squash Casserole