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 :

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  • WW Meatballs (Low Point)
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  • Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

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

Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter

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4.4 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • 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!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 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.

  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Category: Easy
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

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

More Weight Watcher Recipes

  • Weight Watchers Meatloaf Muffins
  • Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Low Sodium)
  • Banana Bread Weight Watchers (Low Point)
  • Creamy White Chicken Chili

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? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place squash in a shallow baking pan, cut-side down. Bake in preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

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.

Should acorn squash be baked cut side up or down? ›

How to Bake Acorn Squash. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the squash halves cut side up on the baking sheet. (Cut side down works too, but I prefer the slightly firmer texture that you get when you roast it cut side up.)

How to tell when acorn squash is done cooking? ›

You'll know when the squash is done when you can easily insert a fork in the flesh. You want it tender, yet not mushy. If the squash is already cut in half, you can easily test if it is done by sticking a fork in the flesh of the squash. If it's fork-tender, it's done cooking and ready to eat.

What happens if you eat acorn squash skin? ›

“It's definitely OK to eat squash skin,” Rayna Joyce, vegetable production manager at Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont, told me. “Some (winter) squash have really delicate skins and they become tender when cooked. You can bake them and eat the whole thing.”

How do I make my acorn squash soft enough to cut? ›

how to soften acorn squash before cutting
  1. Boil. Place the whole squash in boiling water for about 15 minutes.
  2. Steam. In a double boiler or a pot with a steamer or colander on top, place the whole squash in and add a lid on top. ...
  3. Microwave. Pierce the squash with a knife or fork to make a few holes for steam to escape.
Oct 14, 2022

Is acorn squash high in sugar? ›

Nutritional Facts

Acorn squash has very low-fat content, with only 0.1 grams per 100g. Most of this fat (0.042grams) is polyunsaturated, a beneficial source for weight loss. Furthermore, it contains fewer sugar molecules than other winter and summer varieties. As a result, squash is a perfect low-carb diet.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How to hack butternut squash? ›

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Washing: First, start by washing your hands before preparing food. Then wash winter squash before preparing and eating.

How long do you keep squash in the oven? ›

Gather the ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place squash, cut-sides down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour 2 cups water into the dish around the squash halves. Bake in the preheated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water as needed.

What temperature do you put squash on? ›

Pop it in a pre-heated 400°F oven. A mistake I used to make was roasting my squash too long. I used to roast it for an hour or longer, but now I roast it for 30 to 40 minutes.

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.

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

The squash is done when tender.

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands.

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