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This roasted delicata squash recipe is naturally sweet, tender, and oh-so-easy to make. Meet your new favorite fall side dish!

Rings of roasted delicata squash layered on a black plate
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If you haven’t tried delicata squash yet, you’re missing out. Personally, I always wrote it off because I assumed that it tasted like any other winter squash and that, like other varieties of squash, it would be tough to cut and seed. Then I tried it and: whoa, game-changer! 

Delicata squash is simple to prep, easy to cut into, and when it’s roasted, it caramelizes to perfection, making it tender and sweet. You can play up the sweetness by roasting delicata squash with maple syrup, brown sugar, or diced apples, or you can go with contrasting flavors and pair it with savory seasonings. In this recipe, I went the savory route and used Trader Joe’s onion salt, but there’s a lot of room to experiment with different flavors when it comes to delicata squash, so don’t be afraid to try something new!

What You’ll Need

If you don’t count the olive oil and salt, you only need 2 ingredients for this recipe!

  • Delicata squash – One small squash will feed 2 people as a side dish. Buy a squash that feels firm all around, with no soft spots or gashes.
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Trader Joe’s onion salt – Or use garlic or onion powder.
Raw delicata squash slices in pile

How do you prepare delicata squash?

Delicata squash is not peeled (the thin skin is edible!), which means you’ll want to wash the outside well. Cut off each end and discard; cut the squash lengthwise with a sharp knife, then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and strings from both halves. Cut the two halves into 1/2-inch half moons. Alternatively, you can cut the ends off of the squash and cut it into rounds, then scoop out the seeds. Make sure you have a good grip on the squash if you try it this way.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered this recipe, here are some variations to try:

  • You can swap the onion salt for dried or fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage.
  • Whisk the olive oil with cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, or smoked paprika, then brush it onto the squash. 
  • Use maple syrup as a glaze for the squash and pair it with pecans or walnuts.
  • Drizzle brown butter over the squash once it’s done baking. 
  • Roast the squash with Brussels sprouts or diced apples.

How to Make Roasted Delicata Squash

This is the type of recipe that’s perfect for an easy weeknight side dish. You can even cut the squash in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook!

Prepare. Preheat your oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Season the squash. Place the half moons of squash onto the baking sheet, then drizzle them with olive oil. Season with salt and onion salt, then use your hands to rub the oil and seasoning all over squash, ensuring that they’re evenly coated.

Cook. Roast the squash in a single layer for 15-20 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through the cooking time. The squash is done when it can be easily pierced with a fork and it’s nicely caramelized.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Transfer any leftover delicata squash to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can warm it up in the microwave or eat it cold. It’s a great addition to salads or meal prep lunches.

Overhead view of roasted delicata squash rings on black plate

If you love roasting vegetables, here are other roasted vegetable recipes:

4.46 from 11 votes

Roasted Delicata Squash

The best way to make and eat delicata squash is to roast it! It tastes just like candy!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients 

  • Delicata squash, sliced into rounds or half moons and deseeded
  • 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Salt
  • Trader Joe’s onion salt, (see note below)

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 °F (204 °C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place delicata squash onto prepared baking sheet and drizzle olive oil over the slices. Sprinkle salt and onion salt onto the slices. Using your hands, gently rub over the pieces and turn them over and do the same to make sure they’re all coated.
  • Roast for 15-20 minutes or until squash has softened. Flip them halfway through for even browning on both sides.

Notes

If you don’t have Trader Joe’s onion salt, you can use garlic powder or onion powder as a substitute.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 18kcal, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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18 Comments

  1. Tash says:

    Recipe instructions does not brown the squash as pictured. Misleading.

    1. Julie Chiou says:

      sorry you thought this was misleading. every oven is different as is every baking sheet and every squash. if you wanted it as brown as the photos, you may have had to add more oil to get the squash to brown more and/or bake it higher heat.

    2. Cindy says:

      @Tash, I just absolutely hate it when I find a recipe and after preparing the food, it looks nothing like the photo. I recently got a Thanksgiving recipe guide in the Denver Post. After looking it over, I realized that NONE of the photos were of the actual dish. The photos were from stock images. Boooo. Bad form.

  2. Rosanna Santamaria says:

    Great recipe.

  3. Tracy Dobbs says:

    Thank you so much. Simple and delicious