Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries (2024)

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Easy roasted acorn squash recipe topped with an utterly delicious mixture of butter, walnuts and cranberries. Jump to theRoasted Acorn Squash with Walnuts and Cranberries Recipeor read on to see our tips for making it.

We love this roasted acorn squash recipe. It’s easy. Simply cut the squash into wedges the brushwith olive oil and season with brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Bake for about 1 hour then serve the roasted squash with a mixture of melted butter, walnuts and cranberries spooned on top.

For more easy winter squash recipes, check out our Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash, our Parmesan Lemon Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chicken, Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and ourHomemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, review it, and don’t forget to tag a photo#inspiredtasteon Instagram. Happy cooking!

Recipe updated, originally posted November2010. Since posting this in 2010, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear. – Adam and Joanne

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Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries

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PREP 15mins
COOK 1hr
TOTAL 1hr 15mins

Roast acorn squash in the oven and top with butter, crunchy walnuts and sweet cranberries. It’s stunning on the table and everyone’s loved it.

Makes 8 servings

You Will Need

2 medium acorn squash

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

3 tablespoons brown sugar, maple syrup or honey

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2Cut squash in half and use a spoon to scoop out all the seeds from the middle. Carefully cut each half into 2 wedges.

3Place the wedges into a large baking dish then brush all sides with the olive oil. Scatter the brown sugar evenly on top then season with salt and pepper. Bake until soft and caramelized around the edges, about 1 hour.

4When the squash has roasted, add the butter, walnuts and cranberries to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to bubble around the nuts then spoon over the squash.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

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42 comments… Leave a Review

KarenOctober 25, 2023, 7:02 pm
Wow, this was delicious! What a great flavor combination. Thank you for the recipe!
Reply
DeeNovember 27, 2022, 7:40 am
Delicious,healthy and so easy! Made w pecans for Thanksgiving, and roasted squashes in halves (took 30 min). We didn’t eat the skin – just scooped out the tasty and pretty insides. Added maple syrup to the butter mixture rather than when roasting. Will definitely make again!
Reply
EmyOctober 4, 2019, 12:49 pm
I loved this recipe! I got an acorn squash in my farm box and didn’t know where to start. I added a little syrup to the butter/nut topping to sweeten it up a bit more, and roasted the seeds, too!
Reply
EllenJuly 12, 2018, 1:39 pm
Silly question…..do I place the squash with the cut side facing up or down. Thank you as this sound delicious!
Reply
- JoanneJuly 27, 2018, 1:28 pm
  Both will work, but in our photos, we have cut-side facing up.
  Reply
RheaJuly 1, 2018, 1:58 pm
Greetings! I purchased acorn squash in November for Thanksgiving but, they didn’t reach the dinner table. Christmas was upon us, I made Acorn Squash Bread, and saved the seeds. In April I put the seeds in the yard for the birds. In return I got several squash plants. In June the plants began produce. This Roasted Acorn Squash w/walnuts and cranberries made it to dinner table four times in four weeks.
Reply
VeroFebruary 23, 2018, 4:44 am
Delicious and so easy. We all loved it. Five Big Stars.
Reply
Alicia OliverNovember 23, 2017, 6:35 am
I have all ingredients, except Walnuts! Would you make it with only cranberries, or roast with butter and the brown sugar only?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 23, 2017, 12:03 pm
  The squash will be great with the cranberries, butter and brown sugar.
  Reply
LynnNovember 22, 2017, 5:33 pm
Hello. This looks perfect for my vegetarian Thanksgiving. Dumb question… & I pray you can answer quickly, because it is Thanksgiving Eve!… is the “shell” of the squash edible?? I’ve always assumed it’s not! The photo appears to include the rind. Please reply! Thank you.
Reply
- AdamNovember 22, 2017, 10:36 pm
  Hi Lynn, the skin is definitely edible but depending on who is eating it they may prefer to leave the rind on the plate.
  Reply
RebekahNovember 21, 2017, 12:22 am
Is there anyway to make ahead?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 22, 2017, 4:16 pm
  Hi Rebekah, Yes, this can be made ahead of time then reheated before serving. You might want to roast the squash ahead of time then make the butter-walnut mixture just before serving.
  Reply
PatNovember 18, 2017, 11:22 am
Any suggestions on a substitute for the butter on the topping for allergy/intollerence for milk?
Reply
- JoanneNovember 20, 2017, 6:53 pm
  Coconut oil, walnut oil or an olive oil would be nice.
  Reply
- Terry PeikonJanuary 7, 2018, 4:19 pm
  Earth Balance vegan ‘butter’, for the butter flavor, might work also.
  Reply
JanetNovember 13, 2017, 9:08 pm
I baked the squash in my convection oven and the halves were tender in 35 mins. Added a little fresh parmesan on top which gave a nice salted contrast to the sweetness. Great recipe.
Reply
Mary O.November 12, 2017, 8:55 am
It’s hard to find vegetarian dishes for one. This recipe was perfect for me and I got two meals out of it! It was more delicious than I had expected it to be. Thank you so much!
Reply
KateOctober 9, 2015, 7:10 pm
Just made this for dinner! Eating is as I’m typing! SOOO good.
Reply
kirstinNovember 11, 2012, 8:41 pm
I’ll have to double or triple this recipe for thanksgiving. what would that do to the cooking time?
Reply
- AdamNovember 12, 2012, 8:38 pm
  Hi there! As long as you keep the squash in one layer, the cooking time should be about the same. If you are using two baking sheets/two oven racks, you might want to rotate halfway through cooking to make sure they cook evenly.
  Reply
  - kirstinNovember 14, 2012, 1:55 pm
    Thanks!
    Reply

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Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries (2024)

FAQs

Does acorn squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

Good news: you don't need to peel acorn squash. Its hard, grooved skin softens significantly as it cooks, and it's edible, too. If you do want to remove the skin, wait until after you cook it, at which point it will peel right off.

Learn More ›

How long does roasted acorn squash last in the fridge? ›

Storage Tips

Store leftover roasted acorn squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. To Reheat. Rewarm roasted acorn squash on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.

Learn More Now ›

How long to cook acorn squash in the oven at 350? ›

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.

Know More ›

Can you eat the green skin on acorn squash? ›

Yes, You Can Eat the Skin of Acorn Squash and Other Winter Squashes—Here's How. Some varieties, like acorn squash and honeynut, have tender, tasty skin. Others, not so much.

Find Out More ›

Is the skin of roasted acorn squash edible? ›

Next time you roast a squash like acorn, butternut or honeynut, try leaving the skins on and give them a nibble. Be sure to scrub the skin well, Joyce recommends, to remove any dirt or debris. The pleasantly chewy texture may just surprise you, plus you can never go wrong with more fiber.

Explore More ›

Can you eat the skin of roasted acorn squash? ›

A smaller vegetable than many of its squash cousins, the acorn squash has a soft, tender skin that cooks beautifully along with the flesh. It can be cut up and roasted, or stuffed and baked whole, and the skin will be just as tasty as the rest.

Get More Info ›

What does acorn squash do for the body? ›

This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

Why is my acorn squash bland? ›

If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

Which tastes better butternut or acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash is milder in taste and slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash: Its sweet, nutty flavor is additionally muted by the watery character of its flesh. Still, most recipes that call for acorn squash can be made with another members of the squash family, such as Hubbard or butternut.

Can you eat acorn squash raw? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

View Details ›

When should you throw out acorn squash? ›

If it's no longer firm to touch, don't use it. If you're unsure, cut the squash open to take a look at the flesh and seeds. Warning signs to look for are dull flesh and seeds that are slimy and gray. Likewise, if the squash smells bad, throw it away.

Explore More ›

Can you freeze roasted acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash can either be frozen raw or cooked. Cooking before freezing is recommended if a longer shelf life is desired. Frozen raw squash can be roasted, steamed or boiled, but do not thaw beforehand. Cooked frozen squash can be mashed, puréed or added to pasta and risotto dishes or soups.

Show Me More ›

Can you cook acorn squash with the skin on? ›

You do not need to peel acorn squash before cooking, as the flesh will easily scoop out of the squash once it's cooked. You can also easily peel the skin from the squash, once it's cooled to the touch, or by using heat-proof gloves.

Tell Me More ›

Is the skin of acorn squash good for you? ›

One half of a four inch acorn squash when eaten with the skin meets 12% of your daily fiber needs, 11% of vitamin A, contains only 86 calories, 32% of daily vitamin C, and trace amounts of other important vitamins and minerals. Check out our quick reference guides for nutritional content in …

Explore More ›

How do you remove the skin from acorn squash? ›

Use a knife or a serrated peeler to slice off the softened skin. It is best to start with the raised ridges and then move to the valleys of the squash. Once completely peeled, you can then cut off the stem, slice in half, and gut the acorn squash as needed for your recipe.

Explore More ›

Should squash be peeled before roasting? ›

Peel is still inedible after roasting. It's a lot easier to get off after cooking. I usually cut squash in half, deseed, cook for an hour, then cut into pieces if I want to. You'll have to let it cool a bit before pulling the skin off the pieces.

Discover More ›

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries (2024)

Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe with Walnuts and Cranberries

You Will Need

Directions

Adam and Joanne's Tips

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Leave a Reply

FAQs

Does acorn squash need to be peeled before cooking? ›

When should you throw out acorn squash? ›