Cinnamon Pecan Roasted Butternut Squash
This easy roasted butternut squash is baked until caramelized with all the cozy fall spices - brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and rosemary!
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut in 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 sprigs rosemary
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
- Place butternut squash in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Gently toss to combine.
- Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once, until tender.* Add pecans during the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Serve immediately, garnished with rosemary, if desired.
Notes
- Use a good quality sheet pan. A durable sheet pan is ideal – it will last for years with minimal wear and tear, and will help achieve even cooking and avoid warping at high temperatures.
- Prep ahead of time. Save time by cutting the butternut squash 1-2 days prior and storing in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Soften the butternut squash first. If the squash is too hard to cut through, pierce the squash a few times using a fork and microwave for 3 minutes. Let the squash cool for 10 minutes, or until it is cool enough to handle.
- Make a stable base. Trim off the top and bottom to create a flat stable base for cutting.
- Cut into uniform pieces. Dice the butternut squash into similar-sized 1-inch chunks to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Avoid an overcrowded sheet pan. Spread the butternut squash in a single layer, allowing some space between the pieces. A crowded sheet pan will inevitably trap steam, yielding soggy butternut squash instead.
- Roast at high heat. Roasting at 400°F will caramelize the natural sugars of the butternut squash, boosting the natural sweetness of the squash and yield crispy edges while keeping the inside tender and soft.