Description
Warm, comforting, and full of fall flavor, Maple Pecan Roasted Acorn Squash is a must-try for your cozy dinner ideas or holiday table. This easy recipe brings together the natural sweetness of roasted acorn squash, a buttery maple glaze, and the crunch of toasted pecans. Whether you're looking for a healthy snack, an easy dinner side, or simply fresh breakfast ideas, this dish delivers richness, simplicity, and seasonal beauty. It’s vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and loaded with flavor.
Ingredients
2 medium acorn squash
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons maple syrup
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup chopped pecans
0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the acorn squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
3. If needed, trim the bottom slightly so each half sits flat.
4. Score the flesh in a shallow crisscross pattern using a sharp knife.
5. Place the squash halves cut-side up in a snug baking dish.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into the center of each half.
7. Sprinkle salt, and optionally, cinnamon and nutmeg over the top.
8. Add chopped pecans into the cavity of each squash half.
9. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove foil and continue roasting for 20–25 more minutes until tender and caramelized.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
12. Spoon any remaining maple-butter sauce from the pan over the top before serving.
Notes
Score the squash flesh to let the maple-butter flavor soak deep inside.
Cover with foil during the first half of baking to keep pecans from burning.
For extra caramelization, broil the squash for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ squash
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: acorn squash recipe, maple pecan squash, easy dinner, holiday side, fall recipe, vegetarian, cozy food