50 of Grandma's Best Squash Recipes (2024)

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50 of Grandma's Best Squash Recipes (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Nov. 16, 2023

    Make the most of fall's harvest with the best squash recipes around. From butternut to acorn, hubbard to fresh pumpkin, these recipes are just like the ones grandma used to make.

    Honey-Squash Dinner Rolls

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    Puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works—I’ve even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida

    Spiced Squash and Fruit Crumble

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    This sweet and savory dish is a perfect side for cold weather and would be amazing with any meal. It is versatile and perfect for potlucks or family dinners. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

    Spaghetti Squash Boats

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    With a bounty of fresh ingredients, this recipe makes a fun summer dish.
    Spaghetti squash has an interesting texture that’s delightfully different.
    —Vickey Lorenger, Detroit, Michigan

    Butternut Squash Doughnuts

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    My mother and I used to make several batches of these butternut squash doughnuts at a time. They’re not only different, they’re delicious, too! —Elizabeth Leighton, Lincoln, Maine

    Pressure-Cooker Southwestern Pork and Squash Soup

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    I adapted a pork and squash stew recipe using tomatoes and southwestern-style seasonings. My husband and sons loved it, and the leftovers were even better the next day! Try it with fresh corn muffins. —Molly Andersen, Portland, Oregon

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    Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It’s amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don’t get me started on the browned butter! Yum. —Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois

    Savory Winter Squash Pie

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    Instead of using frozen winter squash, you can roast butternut or acorn squash until tender and then mash it before getting started on this recipe. The bacon roses are a fun garnish, but this winter squash pie can easily be made without them. —Erica Sinclair, Hamilton, Ontario

    Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup

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    Soup comforts the soul and this creamy, healthy soup does nothing short of that. This makes a large pot and I love sharing it with others. —Jerilyn Korver, Altoona, Iowa

    Pressure-Cooker Butternut Rice Pudding

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    This tasty rice pudding blends all our favorite flavors of fall into one comforting dessert. The ease of the pressure cooker allows you to limit your dishes and cuts cooking time. If preferred, raisins can be substituted for the dried cranberries. —Gretchen Monahan, Palmyra, Pennsylvania

    Acorn Squash with Leftover Stuffing

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    Our Test Kitchen offer up this unique way to present leftover stuffing. Serve this squash as a hearty side dish or as a meatless entree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Squash Custard Pie

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    Acorn squash has been a favorite of mine since I was little and my mother baked it with sugar and cinnamon. This particular pie was something I improvised. We love pumpkin pie, but had fresh squash in excess. So I came up with this new variation! It's good to take to potlucks, to pie or cake walks at school, or to serve as a different dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas. —Mary Kelly, Hopland, California

    Golden Butternut Squash Tart

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    Taste of Home

    Roasted Fall Vegetables

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    I love serving this tender veggie side dish as part of a comforting dinner on a chilly night. The cayenne pepper lends zippy flavor that's not overpowering. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

    Sausage, Kale and Squash Bread Pudding

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    Who said bread pudding has to be for dessert? I love to serve this for brunch or dinner when I want something hearty and a little unusual. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon

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    The golden color, smooth and creamy texture, and wonderful taste of this soup make it welcome on a chilly fall day. It has a slightly tangy flavor from the cream cheese, and the cinnamon really comes through. —Jackie Campbell, Stanhope, New Jersey

    Hasselback Butternut Squash

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    Squash makes the perfect holiday side dish, especially when it's Hasselback butternut squash! The thin slits cut into each half allow the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar and ground chipotle mixture to get in every single nook and cranny. This is one side that everyone at your holiday table will be excited to gobble up! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

    Maple Winter Squash Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    This scrumptious casserole combines pumpkin and two other kinds of squash in a creamy, savory mix. The recipe would also work with other squash combos, or just one type instead of three. Have fun with it—you really can’t go wrong! —Joanne Iovino, Kings Park, New York

    Apple, Butternut and Sausage Dressing

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    Taste of Home

    I'd heard about using squash in dressing, so I combined four things I love into one dish: apples, butternut squash, bacon and maple sausage! Now, it's one of the most requested dishes during the holidays. —Brenda Crouch, Ansley, Nebraska

    Quinoa-Stuffed Squash Boats

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    Taste of Home

    My colorful “boats” with quinoa, garbanzo beans and pumpkin seeds use delicata squash, a winter squash with edible skin that’s cream-colored with green stripes. In a pinch, acorn squash will do—but don't eat the skin! —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Lemon-Roasted Squash with Tarragon

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    Taste of Home

    Roasting really brings out the flavor of butternut squash and zucchini. I drizzle them with lemon juice, oil, garlic and seasonings, then pop them in the oven. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

    Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

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    Taste of Home

    Much of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up—add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. —Jennifer Machado, Alta, California

    Spiced Acorn Squash

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    Taste of Home

    Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York

    Persimmon Squash Pie

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    I created this recipe for our local persimmon festival, using homegrown squash. I like to make two pies, with toffee bits and pecans for garnish. —Betty Milligan, Bedford, Indiana

    Vegetable Lentil Soup

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    Here’s a healthy slow-cooker soup that's ideal for vegetarians and those watching their weight. Butternut squash and lentils make it hearty, while herbs and other veggies round out the flavor. —Mark Morgan, Waterford, Wisconsin

    Candied Acorn Squash Slices

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    Taste of Home

    This acorn squash recipe was passed down to me from my grandma, who always served it at Thanksgiving. Now I make it whenever I'm feeling nostalgic. —Rita Addicks, Weimar, Texas

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    I love creating dishes with few ingredients and easy steps, like squash with Brussels sprouts. Maple syrup adds a slight sweetness, and pecans give it a toasty crunch. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey

    Wild Rice and Squash Pilaf

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    This pilaf is fantastic with fish or poultry and especially compatible with turkey. Since it's so colorful, I like to think it makes my turkey dressed for the holidays. —Erica Ollmann, San Diego, California

    Butternut Squash Butter

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    Looking for a tasty way to use up those pumpkins and have a wonderful gift during the holidays? My pumpkin butter is delicious on biscuits or homemade bread, and also makes a tempting filling for miniature tart shells. —Wanda Richardson, Somers, Montana

    Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup

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    Taste of Home

    I love this roasted butternut squash because it’s marvelous served hot or cold and it's loaded with flavor from garlic, ginger and leeks. —Marie Willette, Bellows Falls, Vermont

    Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls

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    Taste of Home

    These wholesome rolls are a pleasant addition to any entree. I get so many requests for them at holiday time. I make about 100 dozen in December! —Ula Kessler, Liberty Center, Ohio

    Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

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    Taste of Home

    With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

    Fresh Pumpkin Soup

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    Taste of Home

    This appealing soup harvests the fall flavors of just-picked pumpkins and tart apples and is sure to warm you up on a crisp autumn day. I top the creamy puree with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds. —Jane Shapton, Irvine, California

    Butternut Squash Apple Bake

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    Taste of Home

    Even those who aren't fans of squash enjoy this side dish. Sweet slices of butternut squash are topped with apples covered in a cinnamon-sugar glaze for a quick and easy dinner accompaniment. —Ellie Klopping, Toledo, Ohio

    Quick Golden Squash Soup

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    Taste of Home

    This delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn't like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa

    Seeded Butternut Squash Braid

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    Crunchy, green hulled pumpkin seeds (better known as pepitas) add a slightly nutty taste to this rich and moist bread. Because of their high oil content, pepitas can spoil quickly. Make sure you store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

    Rustic Squash Tarts

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    This recipe is hiding a big surprise. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and spicy pecan layer under the squash slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, ND

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    Taste of Home

    I recently started experimenting with new soup recipes, and finally created a rich squash version that omits heavy cream altogether, making it a healthier way to curb my creamy-tooth. —Nithya Kumar, Davis, California

    Butternut Squash Rolls

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    Taste of Home

    With their cheery yellow color and delicious aroma, these appealing buns will brighten your buffet table. Plus, I've found this recipe is a wonderful way to use up squash from the garden. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

    Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

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    Taste of Home

    Acorn squash gets a sweet and savory treatment when stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries to make this pretty autumn entree. Cooking the squash in the microwave makes this quick enough for a busy weeknight. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Maple-Glazed Squash

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    Squash gets pleasantly sweet and spicy flavors from maple syrup and cinnamon in this recipe. —Betty Kay Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

    Baked Butternut Squash

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    Taste of Home

    Take advantage of fabulous fall produce and roast this scrumptious side. Lightly seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, this is my favorite baked butternut squash recipe—it could almost be dessert! —Heidi Vawdrey, Riverton, Utah

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    Taste of Home

    Some people like squash, some people like potatoes. Mash the two together and you’ve got true love. This is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. —Jasmine Rose, Crystal Lake, Illinois

    Drizzled Butternut Bread

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    My two young children love this buttercup yellow bread. Squash makes it moist and goes so well with the cinnamon. This will be a welcome addition to a brunch or dinner table. —Misty Thompson, Gaylesville, Alabama

    Spiced Butternut Squash Pie

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    Taste of Home

    My mom always made this dessert with her homegrown squash. It was my dad's favorite after-dinner treat. I continue to make it to this day. —Johnna Poulson, Celebration, Florida.

    Cranberry Roasted Squash

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    I created this recipe one day when I wanted a warm, fragrant side dish. The aroma of the cranberries and squash cooking in the oven is just as heavenly as the flavor itself. —Jamillah Almutawakil, Superior, Colorado

    Hubbard Squash Pie

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    Taste of Home

    My mom made this pie—never pumpkin—each Thanksgiving, and everyone looked forward to it. I have fond memories of my dad cutting up a hulking big blue Hubbard squash on the kitchen counter and cooking it in order for Mom to make the pies. A more manageable butternut squash will deliver an equally delicate-tasting pie! —Patti Ann Christian, Ararat, North Carolina

    Originally Published: September 01, 2020

    50 of Grandma's Best Squash Recipes (47)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer cocktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    50 of Grandma's Best Squash Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the most delicious squash? ›

    1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
    2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
    3. 3 • Butternut. ...
    4. 4 • Acorn. ...
    5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
    6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
    7. 7 • Hubbard.

    What tastes better butternut or buttercup squash? ›

    Although it looks quite different from the butternut squash the buttercup has a very creamy, orange colored flesh much like that of the butternut. Its flavor is not as rich as the butternut, but is still quite sweet.

    What is the sweetest tasting squash? ›

    Butternut Squash

    It is the sweetest winter squash with a thick, bright orange, moist flesh that hides very few seeds. The squash is an elongated pear shape with a thin, pale tan skin that is easy to peel. They usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.

    How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

    In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

    What is the best tasting summer squash? ›

    Patty-pan squash

    Flavor and texture: Buttery, nutty flavor is considered by some to be the best tasting of all summer squash. Firm texture holds up to high heat. Best for: Enjoy them fresh, stuffed, baked, fried, steamed, or stir-fried.

    What is the most popular summer squash? ›

    Far and away the most popular summer squash variety, both in the grocery store and in home gardens, zucchini, also called courgette in some areas, is known for being easy to grow and producing massive yields—so much that you're likely to find yourself giving extras away to friends at the end of the summer.

    What squash tastes like a sweet potato? ›

    But delicata squash is my favorite by far. Nicknamed the “sweet potato squash,” it has a sweet, velvety flesh that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. But that's not all. Thanks to its small size and thin, edible skin, it's super easy to work with.

    What squash is least sweet? ›

    Spaghetti Squash: This variety is cylindrical in shape with pale to bright yellow skin and yellow flesh. Once cooked, the flesh is stringy like noodles and the flavor is quite mild and not as sweet.

    Why is butternut squash not sweet? ›

    If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

    What is the healthiest squash? ›

    In addition to vitamins A and C, butternut squash is also rich in carotenoid plant pigments and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Like acorn squash, butternut squash can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, such as baked goods, grain dishes, and soups.

    What is the most popular squash? ›

    The most popular varieties are crookneck, pattypan, and zucchini, although you might see eight-ball squash and zephyr throughout the summer at greenmarkets. Zucchini, both green and yellow, are available year-round at the grocery store, but like all other varieties of summer squash, it's best from early to late summer.

    What squash tastes like a lemon? ›

    Lemon squash, also known as lemon drop squash, are members of the squash family (Cucurbitaceae), specifically Cucurbita pepo, which also includes zucchini. If you're familiar with yellow crookneck squash, lemon squash are very similar, though with slightly thinner skin and a bit sweeter.

    How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

    Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

    directions
    1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
    2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

    What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

    7 ways to cook with butternut squash
    • Butternut squash soup. ...
    • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
    • Roasted butternut squash. ...
    • Butternut squash laksa. ...
    • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
    • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
    • Chilled toffee apple creams.

    Which squash tastes most like potato? ›

    White acorn squash has a flavor so comparable to a potato that it has been dubbed the mashed potato squash.

    Which is healthier butternut or kabocha squash? ›

    While Kabocha squash excels in antioxidant power, butternut squash stands out for its vitamin-rich composition. Acorn squash and delicata squash offer a nutrient-packed punch, and spaghetti squash provides a low-carb alternative without compromising nutritional value.

    Why is acorn squash so good? ›

    This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

    What is the best squash to eat raw? ›

    Summer squash, like courgettes and patty pan, have tender, edible skins, edible flowers and a milder-flavoured flesh. They are best suited for barbecuing, griddling, frying or adding raw to salads.

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