Roasted Delicata Squash
Published Nov 20, 2023
The roasted delicata squash recipe perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors! A few spices and a little honey make this squash recipe great for holidays!
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The easiest way to enjoy delicata squash is to roast it! With honey and warm cinnamon, this Roasted Delicata Squash recipe comes together in a snap—simply slice the squash with the peel on and oven-roast it until it’s fork tender and caramelized. Enjoy it as-is for a weeknight side dish or top it with nuts, fruits, and herbs for a festive holiday side!
Jump to Section
- What is delicata squash?
- Recipe At a Glance
- Summary
- Ingredients you’ll need to make roasted delicata squash
- Popular substitutions & additions
- How to make roasted delicata squash
- Cut the delicata squash into slices
- Roast the Delicata squash
- Tips for making the best delicata squash
- What to serve with baked delicata squash
- How to store & reheat roasted delicata squash
- How long will roasted delicata squash last in the fridge?
- Can i freeze baked delicata squash?
- Frequently asked questions
- More Squash recipes:
- Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe
If you like to use seasonal ingredients in your cooking, this easy-baked delicata squash recipe will be one of your go-to sides for fall and winter. While prepping other squash varieties can feel like a chore, delicata squash is simple—it’s hollow, so it’s easier to cut, and you can eat the skin!
Toss the squash with olive oil, honey, and cinnamon, roast it until it’s tender, and you’ve got a versatile side dish that goes with everything from Simple Air Fryer Chicken Breasts to Harissa Glazed Salmon.
What is delicata squash?
Delicata squash is a winter squash that has a yellowish cream-color with green stripes; unlike plump acorn squash or long-necked butternut squash, delicata has a cylindrical shape. Flavor-wise, it’s kind of like a sweeter version of acorn squash.
As you can imagine from the name delicata, it has a delicate skin. This is great news for cooks because it means you don’t have to peel it! Delicata squash is most commonly roasted, but you can also microwave it, steam it, or sauté it.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Oven
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Key Flavor: Sweet and Savory
Skill Level: Easy
Summary
- Easy to Make: Delicata squash is one of the easiest winter squashes to prep. There’s no need to peel it, and the soft skin makes it easy to cut through effortlessly.
- Sweet, But Low in Carbs: Delicata tastes like sweet potatoes but has only 7g of carbs in a serving (¾ cup) compared to about 40g in sweet potatoes.
- 5 Simple Ingredients: 4 of which are pantry staples! Simple sides are often the tastiest, and when you don’t have to buy a ton of extras, that’s a bonus in my book!
- Exceptional Taste: Roasted delicata squash has a sweet and nutty caramelized flavor, which makes it a warm, festive dish for the holidays.
Ingredients you’ll need to make roasted delicata squash
- Delicata Squash: Look for squash that’s firm and feels heavy for its size.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Or another oil you like to use for cooking.
- Honey: Since delicata squash is naturally sweet, it pairs well with other sweet ingredients like honey.
- Salt and Black Pepper: I recommend freshly ground black pepper.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a note of warmth.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Use Fresh Herbs: Skip the ground cinnamon. When the roasted delicata squash is done cooking, add fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage.
- Swap the Honey for Maple Syrup: Using maple syrup makes this roasted delicata squash recipe vegan, and it also adds a different flavor to the dish.
- Try Different Spices: For a sweet and savory contrast, swap the cinnamon for smoked paprika or chili powder. If you’d rather stick with warm, cozy spices, cardamom and ginger work well with delicata.
- Add Some Heat: A pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder will make this easy-baked delicata squash sweet and spicy.
How to make roasted delicata squash
With just 5 minutes of prep time, making roasted delicata squash is a breeze! Here’s how to cook delicata squash in the oven.
Cut the delicata squash into slices
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and seeds. (Save the seeds! You can use them to make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.)
- Turn the squash over and use a sharp chef’s knife to cut half moons.
- Discard the ends.
Roast the Delicata squash
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Toss to coat, making sure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the squash to a parchment-lined baking sheet and arrange the pieces so they’re in an even layer.
- Roast until the squash is tender and browned.
Tips for making the best delicata squash
- Leave the Skin On. Really! Even if you don’t like eating acorn squash skin, you’ll find that delicata skin is much thinner (and, in my opinion, more pleasant to eat). The skin gets crispy in the oven, too.
- Cut Even Slices. If some are thick and some are thin, they’ll be done cooking at all different times.
- Flip Them Halfway Through. This ensures that both sides are golden brown.
- Garnish With Gusto. Pepitas, pomegranate arils, or even Candied Walnuts will add another layer of texture and flavor to your roasted delicata squash.
What to serve with baked delicata squash
- Herb Crusted Prime Rib
- Pomegranate Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Green Bean Almondine
- Creamy Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
How to store & reheat roasted delicata squash
Store leftover roasted delicata squash in an airtight container. You can reheat it in a 350ºF oven until warmed through or in the microwave. You can also eat it cold; it’s a great addition to this Fall Harvest Salad.
How long will roasted delicata squash last in the fridge?
Leftover roasted delicata squash will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can i freeze baked delicata squash?
This easy baked delicata squash can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it according to the instructions above.
Frequently asked questions
No, uncooked delicata squash can be stored at room temperature—no need to refrigerate it!
Yes, you can use another variety of winter squash (except for spaghetti squash), but the cooking time may vary.
If you want to make roasted delicata squash for a holiday celebration, you’ll need to make it on multiple baking sheets; if you crowd the squash slices onto one, they’ll steam, so they won’t have the same depth of flavor and the texture will be mushy.
This sweet, tender roasted delicata squash recipe is the perfect hands-off side dish for busy weeknights. Everyone in the family will love it—and you’ll love how easy it is!
More Squash recipes:
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Butternut Squash Noodles
- Kousa (Stuffed Squash)
- Butternut Squash Pomegranate Quinoa Salad
- Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi
- Butternut Squash Fries
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
- Butternut Squash Cubes
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This Roasted Delicata Squash recipe was originally published on November 12, 2018. The recipe has not been changed and new photos and step-by-step instructions have been added!
Roasted Delicata Squash
Video
Ingredients
- 1 medium Delicata squash halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F degrees and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the squash on one of the baking sheets or in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, and season with salt, pepper and cinnamon; toss to coat.
- Divide the squash evenly onto the two prepared baking sheets, making sure they are spread out and not touching. Bake the squash until tender and browned, 30 to 35 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
How do you use Delicata squash?
Comments
I’ve never had Delicata Squash but this looks and sounds delicious!!
Recently diagnosed as type 2 diabetic so looking for a larger variety of veggies!!
Question ~ why is this 19g carbs??
Can I make a change to the recipe to lower them?
Thank you
Hope you give it a try! All of the carbs come from the delicata squash. As it is a starchy vegetable, they contain more carbohydrates. The only way to reduce the number of carbs in this recipe is to reduce the amount of delicata squash you use/ reduce the serving size. Hope this helps!
This was delicious and so easy! I didn’t even use the extra garnishes- and it came out glorious. I added to an arugula salad with roasted beets and pumpkin seeds. Love that they didn’t need to be peeled.
Definitely festive & perfect for thanksgiving. Love it