Roasted Brown Sugar Acorn Squash

Buttery and sweet, Roasted Brown Sugar Acorn Squash is tender, delicious and packed full of fiber and vitamins!

Acorn squash is an underrated side dish. You can buy it pretty much any time of the year, it is inexpensive and it is packed full of good for you stuff.

When roasted in the oven, it becomes fork tender. Basting it with a simple and delectable brown sugar glaze makes it buttery and sweet. It’s a great addition to any meal!

What you’ll need to make Roasted Brown Sugar Acorn Squash

• Acorn squash – cut in half, seeds removed.

• Salt & Pepper – to taste, we use Kosher salt and ground black pepper.

• Brown sugar– light or dark, packed.

• Butter – regular salted butter.

Is Acorn Squash good for you?

In a word – YES!

Acorn squash is considered a winter squash as it’s peak season is fall and winter but it is available in the grocery store pretty much all year long. It is literally packed full of vitamins and fiber. One cup of acorn squash has more potassium than two bananas!

Here’s Some of the benefits of eating acorn squash (and why it’s good for you) :

• Potassium and Magnesium – these help to moderate blood pressure.

• Vitamin C and Calcium – these help with building, maintaining, and preventing the break down of bone.

• Folate – this helps produce healthy red blood cells and is really important during pregnancy for fetal development.

• Beta-carotene – this is an antioxidant and it is also converted this to Vitamin A which is great for healthy vision and overall good for your immune system.

• Fiber – acorn squash has plenty of soluble fiber which helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol.

Short on time? How to Cut the Oven Time in Half:

You can cut the time in half for this recipe by par cooking the acorn squash using the microwave!

1. While preheating the oven to 400 degrees F, pierce the skin of the acorn squash several times and then place it in the microwave.
2. The cooking time will depend on the size of the squash. Start with 5 minutes and then check the squash, adding 2 minutes at a time (as necessary) until the squash is soft to the touch.
3. Remove the squash from the microwave using oven mitts.
4. Place it on a cutting board cut in half and remove the seeds.
5. Score the flesh of the squash in a wide cross pattern, being careful to try not to cut through the outer skin. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Using a pastry brush, brush both halves generously with melted butter, setting aside any unused butter for basting during the oven cooking time.
7. Sprinkle both halves evenly with the brown sugar.
8. Bake for about 30 minutes in the oven, basting occasionally with reserved butter, until golden brown and cooked through.
9. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!

How to make Roasted Brown Sugar Acorn Squash

This is by far our favorite way to eat acorn squash. The preparation is easy and roasting it in the oven makes the squash super flavorful.

The brown sugar and butter glaze caramelizes the edges and each bite becomes delicious and fork tender!

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet tray with a silicone pad, parchment paper, or foil that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

Cut the acorn squash in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.

Carefully score the squash in a wide cross pattern by cutting into the flesh (try to not cut through the outer skin).

Using a pastry brush, brush half of the melted butter over the inside of the acorn squash halves. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.

Place the halves cut side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the squash halves from the oven and flip over so that the flesh side is up. Brush the remaining melted butter over the squash halves and sprinkle both evenly with the brown sugar.

Return to the oven and continue to bake for 20- 30 more minutes, basting occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.

Remove from oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!