Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes

How to cook Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes perfectly every time! Tender, caramelized roasted squash is delicious simple side dish or toss them into a fall salad or bowl.

This post is part of my butternut squash How-To’s. Here is a quick tutorial on how to cut butternut squash or you could skip it and just cook butternut squash whole.

Golden brown roasted butternut squash cubes don’t take a lot of time or effort. But that doesn’t stop it from being a delicious side dish for a weeknight dinner or holiday table!

By the time late fall arrives, I have already made pots (and pots!) of butternut squash soup. And while that is a favorite, oven-roasted butternut squash tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper is sweet, salty and has the best buttery texture.

This nutritious vegetable is full of seasonal flavor no matter how you serve it. It’s great for meal prep, a healthy lunch, or even as part of your Thanksgiving menu.

Learn how to roast cubed butternut squash, enjoy it all season long, and thank me later for this easy method!

Ingredients

Cubed roasted butternut squash recipe contains only 4 simple ingredients! I love it with dried thyme, too, but that’s optional. This is a very basic recipe you can make your own.

• Butternut squash: You will need a medium lo large butternut squash about 2 – 3 pounds.
• Olive oil: I prefer extra virgin olive oil but avocado oil works as well.
• Salt and pepper: To season and taste.
• Thyme (optional): Adds the right amount of earthy and fall flavor.

Spice Options

When it comes to roasting butternut squash cubes, there are so many spices that pair well with it! Mix and match your favorite, here are some I love to use:

• Rosemary and sage
• Cumin and coriander
• Curry powder
• All purpose seasoning
• Chili powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Italian seasoning

How to Bake Butternut Squash Cubes

Roasting cubed butternut squash in the oven may take a bit more prep than just baking it whole, but the cubes get way more caramelization, depth of flavor, and natural sweetness. I can’t just get enough!

To start, preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. You could also use a silpat mat but I think with paper you get more caramelized edges. Then follow these 4 simple steps.

1. Peel and cut butternut squash: You will need to peel your squash with a sharp vegetable peeler first. Then seed and cut squash using a sharp chef’s knife into 1-inch cubes to 2-inch cubes. Just make sure they are roughly the same size for even roasting. Don’t discard the seeds but rather roast them using my air fryer pumpkin seeds method.
2. Season squash cubes: In a large bowl, add cubes of butternut squash, drizzle with oil and stir with a wooden spoon to coat. Season with salt, pepper, thyme and stir or toss until well mixed. Don’t do it on a baking sheet. Tossing cubes in a bowl helps with even coating of spices and browning.
3. Place on baking sheet: Divide squash between 2 previously prepared baking sheets and arrange in a single layer. You want to make sure chunks are not overlapping and mostly not touching each other. Again, it’s all about caramelization.
4. Roast: Roast for 35-40 minutes or until your oven roasted butternut squash cubes are fork-tender inside and golden brown on the outside. Just check with a fork or small knife. Cook time will depend on your oven and in my experience, all ovens bake differently and have hot spots.

How Long To Roast Butternut Squash Cubes?

How long to roast butternut squash will really depend on the size of your butternut squash cubes and your preferred oven temperature. While I prefer a high temperature of 425 degrees F, you can bake them at a lower temperature.

Here are some times and temperatures so you can decide what works best for you! I would recommended to check your baked butternut squash at 30 minutes regardless the temperature.

• 375 degrees F roast for 45 – 60 minutes
• 400 degrees F roast for 40-50 minutes
• 425 degrees F roast for 35-40 minutes

Can You Roast Frozen Butternut Squash?

When life gets busy, save some prep time and purchase frozen butternut squash cubes. It’s a great alternative to fresh butternut squash! This easy roasted butternut squash recipe can be made with either.

Here are a few tips for cooking it from frozen:

• Break up butternut squash chunks: They might be stuck together straight out of the package, use your hands to break them up so they bake evenly.
• Preheat your sheet pan: This may seem like an extra step but it’s worth it for perfectly roasted frozen butternut squash. When the frozen squash makes contact with the hot pan, the ice on the diced squash starts to melt, jumpstarting the roasting process.
• Bake: Toss your frozen butternut squash with oil and seasonings of choice and spread the cubes carefully on the hot roasting pan in an even layer. Bake at 450 degrees F for 20 – 30 minutes.

How To Season Butternut Squash

Seasoning butternut squash cubes is probably my favorite part. There are so many delicious ways to amp up the flavor of this versatile winter squash.

And here are some of my favorite ways to do it:

• Cinnamon and maple syrup: Warm spices add such a festive holiday flair that no one can resist while it’s baking. You can use brown sugar if that suits your style.
• Fresh herbs with garlic: You knew garlic would make its way on the list! Pair minced garlic cloves, cubed butternut squash and fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary or whatever you have on hand.
• Cajun seasoning: A little spicy but some like it hot!
• Savory: Toss it with chopped cooked bacon, the sweet and salty combo is so great!
• Parmesan and pecans: Any nut or seed works here. You will love the savory taste that freshly grated parmesan adds and nuts are the perfect crunch.

Expert Tips

• Size of cubes: The times listed in this cubed butternut squash recipe are for 1-2 inch cubes. If yours are larger, the time will increase. If they are smaller, the roasting time will decrease.
• Do not overcrowd baking sheet: If you crowd the pan, your cubes will steam vs. roast.
• Spread in an even layer: This means not layered on top of each other and same as the tip above, if you do, it will steam your squash vs. roast.
• Check at 30 minutes: No matter the temperature you choose, check it at 30 minutes. You can even flip it, if you would like to caramelize your squash on both sides.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy this baked cubed butternut squash! From serving as easy side dish along with your favorite holiday mains like roasted turkey or prime rib to Sunday pot roast dinners and weeknight meals, the options are endless.

• Healthy side dish: It is the perfect pair to whole chicken or any of these chicken recipes.
• Add to a salad: Kale and quinoa salad with a cinnamon dressing would be perfect accompaniment to otherwise simple roasted butternut squash side. You can also add it on top of salad.
• Grain bowl: Simple toss with brown rice or quinoa and your favorite healthy salad dressing for simple healthy meal.
• Chili: Add it to a bowl of this ground turkey chili.
• Soup: Add to bowls of chicken noodle soup.

How to Make Ahead and Store

• Make ahead: Cut butternut squash into cubes and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Proceed with recipe as directed when you are ready to roast your squash.
• Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Up to 3 months in the freezer and thaw on a counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight.

FAQs

More Easy Butternut Squash Recipes

• Sauteed butternut squash
• Instant Pot butternut squash soup
• Thai chicken butternut squash soup
• Sausage stuffed butternut squash

If you love roasted butternut squash cubes, you may also love roasted spaghetti squash noodles.

I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy tutorial how to cook butternut squash in the oven!