Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (2024)

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Acorn squash is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be easily baked in the oven for a healthy and satisfying meal. This versatile ingredient can be used in a variety of recipes, from savory to sweet, and is perfect for anyone looking to add more vegetables to their diet.

Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (1)

I had this acorn squash sitting on my counter forever and I had this plan to make a Thai soup with curry paste and coconut milk. This recipe for baked acorn squash with brown butter I've been seeing a lot on the Internet lately and it looks so good. It's a Paula Deen recipe so you know it's going to be good!

When you take the squash out of the oven, you'll notice a glorious pool of butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar just waiting to be scooped up an eaten with your choice of kitchen utensil. Your house will smell amazing and you'll have some of the best acorn squash you've ever tasted! This is how I'm used to making squash because my family always had it this way.

If you like Paula Deen recipes try her recipe for Paula Deen's Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, Crock Pot Potato Soup, or Hash Brown Quiche.

Jump to:
  • How to know if an acorn squash is cooked?
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Squash Variations
  • How to Make Baked Acorn Squash
  • What to serve with acorn squash?
  • Recipe FAQS
  • More Great Recipes to Try :
  • Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter

How to know if an acorn squash is cooked?

To check an acorn squash for tenderness prick it with a fork. If the flesh is tender on the inside it is ready to eat.

Ingredients Needed

  • Acorn squash - is also packed with nutrients. It is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, and is low in calories and fat. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their overall health and wellness.
  • Brown sugar - Is made by combining granulated white sugar with molasses, which gives it a brown color and a slightly different taste than regular white sugar.
  • Butter, softened -is the most commonly used type of butter in baking, as it allows for more control over the amount of salt in the recipe.
  • Maple syrup - is a delicious, natural sweetener that comes in different grades and types, each with its own unique flavor and color.
  • Salt and Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Squash Variations

For a sweet twist on this savory vegetable, try baking the squash with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar. This makes a delicious side dish or dessert that is perfect for fall. You can also stuff the squash with a mixture of apples, walnuts, and raisins for a healthy and satisfying dessert option.

How to Make Baked Acorn Squash

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Scoop the seeds and stringy pulp out of the squash cavities and discard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt and pepper, to taste. Rub the squash cavities and cut sides of the squash with the butter mixture and place them on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
  3. When the squash is done baking cut it in half and then into quarters. The serving size is ¼th of the squash.
Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (2)

What to serve with acorn squash?

There are many ways to prepare acorn squash, but some of the best accompaniments include rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, and a variety of meats. Try this recipe for Thai Quinoa Salad with Fresh Herbs.

Acorn squash is a versatile vegetable that can be paired with a variety of side dishes and main courses to create a delicious and nutritious meal. Whether you prefer sweet or savory flavors, there are many ways to prepare acorn squash that are sure to please your taste buds.

Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (3)

Recipe FAQS

How to know if an acorn squash is cooked?

To check an acorn squash for tenderness prick it with a fork. If the flesh is tender on the inside it is ready to eat.

How do I store leftovers?

Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.

More Great Recipes to Try :

  • Ree Drummond Perfect Potato Soup
  • Simple Perfect Chili Ree Drummond
  • 3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler
  • Lazy Pancake Bowl (Tiktok Recipe)

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Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (8)

Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter

★★★★★4.4 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter is my favorite way to have squash and it can be cooked in the oven or air fryer!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 acorn squash, cut in ½
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Scoop the seeds and stringy pulp out of the squash cavities and discard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt and pepper, to taste. Rub the squash cavities and cut sides of the squash with the butter mixture and place them on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
  3. When the squash is done baking cut it in half and then into quarters. The serving size is ¼th of the squash.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Paula Deen

My WW Personal Points: 6 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

Serving size: The picture shows the squash cut in half but it is actually meant for 4 servings. So cut each half into quarters.

  • Category: Easy
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 225
  • Fat: 6
  • Carbohydrates: 45
  • Fiber: 10
  • Protein: 2

Keywords: baked acorn squash

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Gonzalez says

    I grew up in a famiy of 7. We always got 1/2 squash each. Less meat that meal but we didn't care because we loved this squash. ❤

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Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How long to bake an acorn squash at 350 degrees? ›

1. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a baking dish. 2. Bake in a 350°F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.

Is there a difference between roasting and baking squash? ›

Most recipes say to either bake or roast butternut squash—but what's the difference? While both cooking methods will turn the tough, raw gourd into a soft, sweet ingredient, roasting butternut squash is the more common process for achieving browned, crispy edges and a creamy interior.

What is the difference between acorn squash and golden acorn squash? ›

The most common variety is the Green Acorn with a dark green ridged outer skin and a deep yellow to orange flesh. The Golden Acorn has a pumpkin orange colored outer skin with the traditional orange inner flesh. Both the Green and Golden are smaller sized Acorn squash.

What temperature do you cook squash in the oven? ›

Butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes, should be perfectly roasted after about 25 to 35 minutes in an oven heated to 400 degrees F. When it's done, the squash should be lightly browned and easily pierced with a fork.

How do you know when squash is done in the oven? ›

Begin checking around 20 minutes, rotating the pan (if you feel like it). Once it's passed the fork test (or is cooked to your liking), you can take the squash out of the oven and let it cool until it's easy to handle. Then, scoop the flesh out of the skin and do what you will with it!

Does roasting take longer than baking? ›

Baking is done at lower oven temperatures, below and up to 400 degrees. Because of the higher heat, roasting results in shorter cook times and makes the outside of the food crispy.

Do you eat the skin of baked squash? ›

All squash skin is edible. However, in the same way you wouldn't eat a banana peel, edible doesn't necessarily mean you want to eat it. Some squash has thin skin that's tasty and tender, while others have a tough shell that even cooked is chewy and stringy.

What is the best tasting acorn squash? ›

Table Ace Acorn Squash is well-known as the best tasting acorn squash on the market.

Is acorn squash good or bad for you? ›

Acorn squash provides one of the best possible ratios of heart-healthy vitamins to calories. Some studies have shown that carotenoids like those in acorn squash can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease — but only when those carotenoids come from foods.

Which is healthier, acorn or butternut squash? ›

Acorn squash: It has less vitamin A than butternut but provides even more fiber (9 grams per cup) and potassium (896 mg).

How long does it take to bake acorn squash at 350 degrees? ›

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet and a baking dish. Halve the squash lengthwise and clean. Transfer the squash, cut side down, to the baking sheet, and bake the squash until it is tender, about 45 minutes.

Should squash be cut side up or down in the oven? ›

Sprinkle salt and pepper lightly over the interiors of the squash, then place them cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, until the cut sides are turning golden and the interiors are easily pierced through with a fork. Small squash will be done sooner than large squash, naturally!

What is the temp range for squash? ›

Planting. Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a warm-season crop that grows best at average temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. Squash seeds do not germinate well in cold soil.

How long does it take to soften squash in the oven? ›

When it's finished cooking, you'll be able to easily pierce a fork or knife through the skin and into the soft flesh. The skin will also looked puffed up a bit and have a nice sheen to it; this takes about 30-40 minutes, more or less depending on the size of your squash.

What temperature should squash be cured at? ›

Curing. After harvesting, cure winter squash (except for the acorn types) at a temperature of 80 to 85°F and a relative humidity of 80 to 85 percent. Curing helps to harden the squash skins and heal any cuts and scratches.

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