31 Acorn Squash Recipes with Amazing Flavor

With its sweet, nutty flavor and pretty, scalloped shell, it’s no wonder acorn squash is a fall favorite. We love it roasted simply in the oven — but it’s a great choice for soups, salads and stuffed preparations too.

January 25, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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A Seasonal Favorite

When the weather gets cold, we look forward to a variety of hearty squashes. One of our favorites, though, is acorn squash. It’s at its peak during the fall and winter months, which means it's easy to find at your grocery store or farmers market — and tastes absolutely delicious. Try it as a simple side for weeknight dinners, in comforting casseroles or as the base of a hearty soup. We’ve got lots of ideas to get you started but this is one of our favorites; it’s glazed with butter and topped with crushed cookies (which enhances its natural sweetness). What’s not to love?!

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash Soup

Guy roasts his acorn squash with shallots and garlic, then purees it all together for this hearty soup.

Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup

Vegan Quinoa-Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

This vegan stuffed squash isn't trying to trick you into thinking it's stuffed with meat. And it doesn't have to — the quinoa filling is satisfying enough on its own, full of spiced warmth (thanks to the curry powder) and salty sweetness (from the pistachios and cranberries).

Get the Recipe: Vegan Quinoa-Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

Slow-Cooker Acorn Squash

Free up your oven space with Trisha’s slow-cooker recipe. She cooks her squash in chicken stock and apple cider vinegar, then drizzles the dish with brown butter and fried thyme leaves to finish it off.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Acorn Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash Halves

This easy side is simply prepared with butter, salt and pepper. The secret ingredient? The caramelization from being roasted brings out nutty, almost sweet flavors.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Halves

Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Brown Butter

The secret to getting crispy, caramelized acorn squash with very little added oil? Your trusty air fryer! We topped the whole dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of brown butter, for a comforting and easy side dish.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Brown Butter

Quinoa with Roasted Squash and Pistachios

Fragrant thyme leaves tie together a hearty meal of quinoa, acorn squash and crunchy pistachios.

Get the Recipe: Quinoa with Roasted Squash and Pistachios

Black Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Katie combines a filling of kale, mushrooms and wild rice for her vegetarian stuffed acorn squash.

Get the Recipe: Black Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Eggs Baked in Acorn Squash

Move over, avocado toast — Katie's take on egg-in-a-hole is your new brunch go-to.

Get the Recipe: Egg Baked in Acorn Squash

Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

Ina’s five-star recipe is as simple as it is sweet. She incorporates all the flavors of fall by roasting hollowed-out squash with butter and maple syrup.

Get the Recipe: Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash Agrodolce

A sweet-and-sour sauce tops off the squash in Giada’s traditional dish.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Agrodolce

Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Glaze

If you want to cut down the time for this stunning side dish, slice the squash one day ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook. The same goes for the pomegranate glaze, which can be heated in the microwave just before serving.

Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Glaze

Chicken Enchilada-Stuffed Squash

This twist on enchiladas swaps the tortillas for halved acorn squash — and the resulting dish is every bit as comforting and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada-Stuffed Squash

Grilled Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

These sweet and spicy squash "ribs" are the perfect barbecued fall side dish.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash Chips

Need a crunchy snack without the guilt? Thinly sliced acorn squash drizzled with olive oil bakes up nice and crispy. Snack time, solved.

Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash Chips

Baked Acorn Squash

This simple recipe is great for anyone who thinks they don't like acorn squash. It's roasted until soft, then mashed and served as you would potatoes. What's not to like?

Get the Recipe: Baked Acorn Squash

Spiced Chicken and Kale Bowls

Simply roasted acorn squash adds natural sweetness (and a nice counterbalance to the spices on the chicken) in this hearty fall salad, making it one of our favorite weeknight dinners.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Chicken and Kale Bowls

Herb-Roasted Acorn Squash with Queso Fresco and Pomegranate

Marcela’s festive dish will be a hit at the holiday table. Chipotle powder adds a kick, and is balanced by sweet pomegranate and creamy queso fresco. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use feta as a substitute.

Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Acorn Squash with Queso Fresco and Pomegranate

Roasted Acorn Squash with Mushrooms, Peppers and Goat Cheese

Guy uses the whole squash, seeds and all, in this veggie-packed recipe.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash with Mushrooms, Peppers and Goat Cheese

Stuffed Squash

Ground pork, spinach, rice and pine nuts make up the filling for Alton’s fan-favorite stuffed squash.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Squash

Cheesy Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Looking for a quick, healthy lunch? Make this vegetarian recipe. Cheddar cheese and brown rice bulk up the squash, while spinach contributes a healthy dose of greens.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash and Portobello Mushroom Salad with Radicchio, Apples and Pumpkin Seeds

Anne combines acorn squash, Portobello mushroom and radicchio for a colorful, palette-cleansing side. Apples and pumpkin seeds lend a seasonal touch to the dish.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash and Portobello Mushroom Salad with Radicchio, Apples and Pumpkin Seeds

Acorn Squash with Baby Bitter Greens

Baby greens, goat cheese and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette make this salad a smashing success. Add Valerie’s sweet-and-salty pumpkin seeds for a satisfying crunch.

Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash with Baby Bitter Greens

Roasted Acorn Squash with Jalapeno

What do acorn squash and jalapeno have in common? Both veggies are small but mighty — when combined, their flavor profile is out of this world.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash with Jalapeno

Sunny's Italian Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Family dinners call for this crowd-pleasing dish made with seasonal squash, savory sausage and melty cheese. It's so delicious you’ll want it every Sunday!

Get the Recipe: Sunny's Italian Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Balsamic Acorn Squash

When roasted, acorn squash develops a sweet, nutty flavor. To complement it, drizzle the squash with tangy balsamic vinegar and top with toasted almonds and ricotta salata.

Get the Recipe: Balsamic Acorn Squash

Tex-Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash

Our little secret? Microwave the acorn squash instead of roasting — it cuts down on cook time so you can have a great vegetarian dinner on the table in less than an hour.

Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash

Seared Acorn Squash with Tahini and Walnut-Parsley Pesto

Damaris builds the flavor profile of acorn squash with a creamy tahini sauce and walnut-parsley pesto. Host a dinner party like a pro: Make the pesto ahead of time and store in the fridge.

Get the Recipe: Seared Acorn Squash with Tahini Sauce and Walnut-Parsley Pesto

Tofu-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Vegetarians, we’ve got your weeknight dinner right here. Thanks to the microwave, this tasty dish is ready in less than 40 minutes. Serve with a spinach and pita salad for a balanced meal.

Get the Recipe: Tofu-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Risotto

Looking for a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily make in your own kitchen? Roast acorn squash halves until tender, then stuff each squash with a creamy and cheesy risotto.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Risotto