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    Home » Food » Lunch

    Sauteed Butternut Squash

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    A sauteed butternut squash recipe that's equal parts sweet and savory. It's simple, easy to make, and ready in under 15 minutes.

    sauteed butternut squash in a skillet topped with fresh thyme

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    the best easy butternut squash recipe

    Butternut squash has a similar flavor to sweet potatoes. It can be made into a sweet or savory dish.

    Take the stress out of the side dish portion of dinner. This is so simple and easy to make. A majority of the cooking time is just getting the butternut squash softened.

    It can sometimes be difficult to find Fall side dishes that are in season. Butternut squash makes an excellent quick and easy side dish. The mix of sweet and savory will have your family asking for seconds.

     Ingredients for Butternut Squash Sauteed

    • butternut squash
    • butter
    • cinnamon
    • nutmeg
    • salt
    • thyme
    ingredients for sauteed butternut squash

    How to Peel Butternut Squash

    To peel butternut squash, I like to trim both the top and bottom from the squash and use a standard vegetable peeler to peel off the skin.

    How to Saute Butternut Squash on Stove

    Detailed instructions and measurements to make sauteed butternut squash are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Add the butter to the skillet over medium high heat and let it melt.
    2. Once it has melted, add in the chopped butternut squash and stir until the butter fully coats the squash pieces.
    3. Place a lid on the skillet and allow the butternut squash to cook down, about 10 minutes.
    4. Remove the lid and sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine.
    5. Sprinkle with fresh thyme, mix and serve!
    butter in a skillet
    melted butter in a skillet
    butternut squash in a skillet with butter
    butternut squash mixed with melted butter in a skillet
    lid placed on skillet with butternut squash and butter
    sautéed butternut squash in a skillet after being cooked down
    cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled on butternut squash in a skillet
    cinnamon and nutmeg mixed into butternut squash

    How Long to Saute Butternut Squash

    You will want to saute butternut squash covered for about 10 minutes.

    Tips, Tricks and FAQs for Butternut Squash on Stove

    You can buy butternut squash already peeled and chopped in the produce section of most stores. Save yourself time by buying these and just throw them in the pan.

    If you aren't used to nutmeg, go easy. Don't add too much because it can be overpowering in a dish.

    Do you peel butternut squash before you cook it?

    Yes. You will need to peel the squash and chop it before placing it in the skillet.

    How do you know when butternut squash is cooked?

    The squash should be softened, but not mushy.

    How long do you cook butternut squash?

    If you chop the squash into ½-1 inch squares, it should only need about 10 minutes to soften with the lid on the skillet.

    Is butternut squash healthy?

    Butternut squash is full of vitamins and nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.

    What flavors go well with butternut squash?

    Butternut squash pairs really well with flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme.

    sauteed butternut squash in a skillet topped with fresh thyme

    substitutions

    You can actually substitute the butternut squash in this recipe with sweet potato. They have similar flavors. You will need to peel and cube the sweet potato in the same way as the squash.

    How to Serve Sweet and Savory Sauteed Butternut Squash

    Sauteed butternut squash is an excellent side dish for chicken and seafood.

    How to Store Butternut Squash

    Allow it to cool completely and then store it in an airtight container up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

    How long does butternut squash last?

    Uncooked, unpeeled butternut squash will last 2-3 months when stored properly.

    Once cooked, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will last up to 3 days when stored properly.

    How can you tell if butternut squash has gone bad?

    Uncooked, uncut butternut squash should not have any soft spots or strong odor. If it has either of these, it has gone bad.

    How to Reheat Sauteed Butternut Squash

    When you're ready to reheat, I recommend placing it in the microwave, covered for 1 minute at a time.

    other vegetable recipes you might like

    • Oven Roasted Garlic Brown Sugar Carrots
    • Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Spaghetti Squash
    sauteed butternut squash in a skillet topped with fresh thyme

    Sauteed Butternut Squash

    A sauteed butternut squash recipe that's equal parts sweet and savory. It's simple, easy to make, and ready in under 15 minutes.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 64 kcal
    Protein 1 g

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 whole butternut squash
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½-1 teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt (do not use table salt - it does not measure the same)
    • 4 sprigs fresh thyme

    Instructions
     

    • Take the butternut squash and cut the bulb part away from the long part. Then, cut the long part and the bulb part in half. Scoop out any of the seeds and as much of the stringy texture as possible. Peel the skin off of the squash with a vegetable peeler and cut the squash into ½ - 1 inch cubes.
    • Add the butter to the skillet over medium high heat and let it melt.
    • Once it has melted, add in the chopped butternut squash and stir until the butter fully coats the squash pieces.
    • Place a lid on the skillet and allow the butternut squash to cook down, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the lid and sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine.
    • Sprinkle with fresh thyme, mix and serve!

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Sauteed Butternut Squash
    Serving Size
     
    0.25 of recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    64
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    6
    g
    9
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    15
    mg
    5
    %
    Sodium
     
    1164
    mg
    51
    %
    Potassium
     
    28
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    4
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    261
    IU
    5
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    48
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword fall, side dish
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy. It should only be used for estimation purposes and is not a guarantee of any kind. Nutritional information varies widely between brands and types of ingredients used. It is recommended that you calculate the nutritional information based on your own ingredients and brands used. Sweetly Splendid, LLC makes no guarantees as to the exact nutrition information.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Caren

      January 25, 2023 at 5:36 pm

      Followed recipe exactly for my first time. I thought 2 teaspoons of salt was a misprint but followed it anyway. Too much salt, even for us huge salt lovers.
      I’ll try it again but cut back on salt

      Reply
      • kara

        January 25, 2023 at 6:00 pm

        Hi Caren, Thank you for pointing that out! That was a typo. It should be 1/2, not 2. I appreciate you pointing that out so that I could correct it. I hope you enjoy it when you make it again!

        Reply

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    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

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