Buttercup squash is a winter squash variety renowned for its distinctive appearance and rich, sweet flavor. Think of it as a cousin to the pumpkins and other winter squashes. The name “buttercup” is derived from its turban-like shape with a small, round base and a flattened top, creating a squat, cup-like appearance. The inner flesh of buttercup squash is dense, orange-yellow, and has a smooth texture. What sets buttercup squash apart is its sweet and nutty flavor profile, which intensifies upon cooking. These buttercup squash recipes will show you just how good it can be – sweet or savory! We’ve got a list ranging from soups and stews to casseroles, pies, and desserts.
Not only is it great for cooking but buttercup squash is also a nutrient powerhouse. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. Additionally, it contains minerals such as potassium and magnesium, contributing to a well-rounded and healthful addition to your meals. With its unique taste and nutritional benefits, buttercup squash has become a beloved ingredient in fall and winter cuisines, adding warmth and depth to a variety of seasonal dishes. Get ready to be inspired and discover new ways to savor the essence of the cold months with these mouthwatering buttercup squash recipes.
1. Simple Roasted Buttercup Squash
We’re starting off simple because buttercup squash is delicious all on its own. Buttercup squash is more unusual than other winter squash but worth seeking out at your local farmers’ market or farm stand. Once you roast it, the natural sugars caramelize and it comes out sweet and creamy.
2. Maple Roasted Buttercup Squash
Add a little maple syrup to it and it’s even better! You need just three ingredients – buttercup squash, olive oil, and maple syrup – and you’ve got a delightful winter side dish that will hit all the holiday senses. It takes less than an hour to roast it completely. Pair this with a roasted chicken, and you’ve got healthy comfort food.
3. Buttercup Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is more popular, especially in restaurants, but don’t skip over the creamy buttercup squash soup version. With the right holiday spices, this soup is amazing and decadent. It will make the perfect appetizer soup course for any type of holiday dinner party. Wow your guests easily with something super simple, but highly flavorful.
4. Buttercup Squash and Bacon Pasta
This easy casserole is made with hearty pasta, savory bacon, and creamy buttercup squash. The squash adds a bit of sweetness to what would be an overly salty casserole. A melted cheese sauce brings all the ingredients together, so you get deliciousness in every bite.
5. Cheesy Buttercup Squash Tortiglioni
Just look how decadent this pasta dish is. It’s perfectly cheesy, warm, and filling. Despite how cheesy this dish is, it’s completely vegan. Nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy taste and vegan butter is used to keep it completely vegan-friendly. You also get nutritional boosts from the added spinach and bell pepper. It’s quite a healthy dish!
6. Fries with Sage Aioli
If you can choose one thing to do with your buttercup squash, make it this recipe. You can never go wrong with any kind of fry. These buttercup squash fries with sage aioli are a winter snack dream. Packed with plenty of holiday flavor, you’ll elevate any afternoon get-together with these as the snack.
7. Vegetarian Stuffed Squash
This stuffed buttercup squash recipe is easy to make: fix the stuffing on the stovetop, then stuff the squash and bake. It’s easy to make vegan and gluten-free too, so it can be applied to any dietary preference. And, like any good holiday dish, it can be made ahead of time to save yourself some work while guests are there.
8. Bacon Roasted Squash with Rosemary Honey
Another bacon and buttercup squash dish because the two pair so well together. The bacon adds saltiness and helps balance the natural sweetness of the buttercup squash. Rosemary honey is going to be your new go to for savory cooking if you’ve never had it before. It’s amazing. This whole side dish works perfectly with a roasted pork loin.
9. Buttercup Squash Baked Oatmeal
You can even use buttercup squash for breakfast! Baked into oatmeal, it creates a dish reminiscent of pumpkin pie baked oats. It’s got the same creamy, sweet texture you want in a baked oatmeal dish. It’s hearty, and nutrient-dense, which will leave you satisfied for hours rather than crashing mid-morning.
10. Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake
I love coffee cake, and you will too after testing this recipe. Buttercup squash gives this coffee cake a beautiful golden color and the taste pairs amazingly with cinnamon and the frosting that’s drizzled on top. The recipe looks like it has a lot of ingredients, but they are all baking essentials you most likely have stocked in the pantry.
11. Buttercup Squash Casserole
This buttercup squash casserole is very similar to a sweet potato casserole and gives the traditional dish a nice change-up. It’s got the same sweetness a sweet potato casserole has, with the brown sugar added. But it offers a slightly different, more pumpkiny taste due to the buttercup squash. It doesn’t need any marshmallows on top!
12. Buttercup Squash Recipes: Pound Cake
Pound cake is dense, slightly sweet, and the perfect finishing dessert for a holiday dinner. This pound cake is made with homemade buttercup squash puree, and again, gives it a taste like pumpkin bread. It’s very more-ish, so you might as well make two loaves to ensure there’s enough to go around.
13. Squash and Apple Muffins
This recipe is a classic muffin recipe but gets its moisture from sweet apples and pureed buttercup squash. They are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast when you want a holiday flare. You could even make mini muffins for tea time and have bite-sized, healthy, muffins to snack on.
14. Buttercup Squash Recipes: Pie
Skip over the pumpkin pie (he’s had his turn!) and give buttercup squash pie a go. It’s just as creamy and decadent. But with a fun twist on the flavor. It gives all the holiday tastes that we want in a pie – nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and it even has a bit of dark rum. It’s a fantastic addition to the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table.
15. Chicken Stuffed Squash
Chicken stuffed buttercup squash gives you a fully balanced meal option that’s all in one. If you’re not vegetarian, give this version of stuffed squash a try. It features tender chicken chunks, sliced almonds, and sweet and tart cranberries. This recipe makes two hearty servings, so it’s great for date night.
16. Squash Puffs (Duchess Potato Style)
If you really want to elevate the lowly winter squash, give these duchess potato puffs a good attempt. They are made with squash and blue cheese puree, so you get slightly sweet, slightly salty, and savory, all with a beautiful presentation. The egg yolks added to this puree make it rich and absolutely divine.
17. Roasted Squash with Balsamic Glaze
You won’t believe how decadent of a side dish you can make with just six ingredients. Roasted squash is begging to have a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze drizzled over it. With rosemary, salt, and pepper to add just a bit of seasoning, you’ve got a side dish that packs a punch of flavor.
18. Alfredo Sauce
Did you know you can make a creamy, savory alfredo sauce from buttercup squash? Well, you do now. Roasting the squash beforehand gives the alfredo sauce a depth of flavor that’s hard to get in just a regular alfredo sauce. You’ll love the winter holiday vibes this dish gives off.
19. Whole30 Squash Casserole
Looking on the healthier side of what buttercup squash can do, we’ve got a Whole30, Paleo, kep, AIP-friendly casserole. Despite how diet-friendly this dish is, it’s quite easy to make. This casserole is topped with hearty ground beef and even a bit of diced apple to bring in more holiday flavor.
20. Frittata with Sage
This frittata is not just flavorful, but it’s beautiful as well. It makes the perfect breakfast for the day after Christmas when you still want a bit of the holiday flare, but you also feel like you need a healthy breakfast to fuel you for clean-up duty. One serving is just 200 calories.
21. Stuffed Squash Casserole
Stuffed squash casserole features two different types of rice and lots of warm spices. Cumin, turmeric, and cayenne bring out an amazing warm spicy flavor, while a bit of queso fresco keeps the whole dish balanced and a bit creamy. The roasted squash has a subtle flavor, but really brings the whole dish together.
22. Buttercup Pie
Another pie for you to try out is similar to the one above, but just a slightly different recipe. This one has a bit of apple juice added to really enhance the holiday flavor. You can easily substitute pumpkin puree in this recipe if you don’t have buttercup squash, but it’s worth the effort to find out and roast it!
23. Buttercup Squash Recipes: Bundt Cake
If you need a snack cake for munching on while you and the family make Christmas dinner, this bundt cake will do! Or maybe you need a mid-morning pick-me-up with your cup of coffee. Either way, it’s a delicious, not-too-sweet, cake you and the family will love. It’s beautiful to display as a centerpiece as well.
Use this list of buttercup squash recipes to explore the versatility and deliciousness of buttercup squash. From savory soups to sweet desserts, this roundup showcases the endless possibilities this squash variety brings to your fall or winter table.
