- This recipe transforms butternut squash into a rich, flavorful side dish that goes well with meat, fish, and more.
- This dish contains immune-boosting ingredients that will help you fight off illness.
- To make the recipe a little different, try using chopped pumpkin instead of butternut squash.
The Garlic Butter Butternut Squash is the perfect side dish to your favorite protein. Antioxidant-rich butternut squash becomes sweet and slightly caramelized when roasted, while the garlic mellows and acquires a creamy consistency before being whisked with melted butter and drizzled over the squash. Italian spices add their classic flavors that meld beautifully with the roasted garlic. Fresh herbs provide the finishing touch. Read on for our expert tips, including why the garlic may need to go in the oven before the squash.
Tips from the EatingWell test kitchen
These are the top tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our test kitchen to make sure it works, tastes good, and is good for you too!
- We recommend giving the garlic a head start in the oven as it needs about 15 minutes more roasting time than the squash.
- You don’t have to worry about the garlic being too spicy; The oven heat softens it, making the garlic very sweet.
- For a tasty substitute, you can replace the butternut squash with chopped pumpkin.
- We highly recommend adding a pinch of table salt at the end of cooking as it enhances the flavor of the pumpkin. And a touch of chopped parsley and basil add a touch of herbal freshness.
Nutritional information
- Butternut squash is rich in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which strengthen your immune system and are good for your skin. The potassium in butternut squash is good for healthy blood pressure.
- Garlic When taken regularly, it has been shown to support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Garlic can also boost your immune system. Therefore, make this dish a regular part of your dinner, especially during cold and flu season.
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Props Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
