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35+ Ideas of What to Serve with Roasted Butternut Squash

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

September 11, 2024

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In this post, I’ve curated a list of 35+ of the best pairings to complement the sweet and nutty flavor of butternut squash, helping you create a well-rounded and delicious meal. From crisp salads like Fennel and Pear Salad to hearty mains like Red Wine Pot Roast, and flavorful sides like Wild Rice Pilaf and a rich and savory Gravy, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to pair with your next butternut squash dish.

Collage of sides for butternut squash with text overlay.

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Flavors That Go Well With Butternut Squash

  • Sage, thyme, rosemary
  • Nutmeg, cinnamon
  • Maple syrup, brown sugar, honey
  • Garlic, parmesan cheese, goat cheese, ricotta cheese
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Pecans or walnuts
  • Bacon
  • Ginger
  • Curry spices (like cumin, coriander, and turmeric)
  • Chili flakes or cayenne pepper
  • Lemon or orange zest

Not sure where to start? I highly recommend my Miso Mashed Potatoes and Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Recipes to Pair with Butternut Squash

Roasted Feta with Sweet Potatoes, Farro & Kale
Roasted feta becomes deliciously creamy & melty. It’s especially delicious when you toss it with roasted sweet potatoes, farro and kale.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Feta, Kale and Farro
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Red Wine Braised Short Ribs Recipe
Easy to make ahead and then pop in the oven to cook, these red wine braised short ribs are the perfect, savory dinner party recipe.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Baked cabbage steaks topped with bacon and drizzled with cream sauce.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Bacon
Roasted Cabbage Steaks with bacon and a garlicky, creamy mustard sauce. Perfection! This delicious side dish pairs perfectly with dishes like corned beef, roasted chicken and pork chops.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Swirled miso mashed potatoes in bowl sprinkled with chives.
Miso Mashed Potatoes
Miso Mashed Potatoes make a quick + easy side dish. With roasted garlic and buttery miso paste these potatoes pack a delicious umami flavor!
Miso Mashed Potatoes
Roasted spatchcock chicken in skillet with potatoes and cabbage.
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken & Potatoes
This Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with Potatoes & Cabbage cooks up in one skillet for an easy, delicious dinner perfect for weeknight meals.
Roasted Spatchcock Chicken & Potatoes
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Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with mustard & parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette & makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin sliced in pieces so that you can see the stuffing filling.
Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. Stuffed with a delicious fennel & rice stuffing, and roasted alongside rosemary seasoned potatoes.
Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Finished Mushroom risotto in dutch oven.
The BEST Mushroom Risotto Recipe (So Creamy!!!)
This is the BEST mushroom risotto recipe that comes together quick + easy. Umami-packed mushrooms, creamy rice, and nutty parmesan cheese.
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Mojo Sauce
Crispy Smashed Potatoes are the most delicious side dish! Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they’re amazing on their own or top them with sour cream & mojo sauce.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
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Blue Cheese Gnocchi
Blue Cheese Gnocchi. A rich blue cheese sauce coats the gnocchi which is tossed with fresh spinach and topped with some crispy prosciutto.
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Air Fryer Mushrooms
Air Fryer Mushrooms are perfectly seasoned & endlessly customizable. This quick and easy recipe serves as a delectable side dish or topping.
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Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham
This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham recipe is simply the best! Made with brown sugar, mustard, pineapple, and honey, this glaze makes an addictive and moist ham every time. It will be the star of your holiday dinner! 
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This Chicken Gravy recipe is easy to make using either roasted chicken drippings or broth as the base. Loaded with rich & savory flavors.
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The BEST Glazed Carrots
This easy, stovetop glazed carrots recipe is amazing! Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned and perfectly glazed! These carrots make an amazing side dish that both kids and adults can’t get enough of!
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Cumin Lamb Noodles
These boldly flavored Cumin Lamb Noodles are just as delicious as the restaurant version but use much more accessible ingredients.
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The BEST Mushroom Stuffing with Pecans & Herbs
This is the BEST Mushroom Stuffing recipe. Featuring pecans, fresh herbs and a splash of white wine, it’s a true family favorite recipe for Thanksgiving!
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples & Pecans
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples & Pecans is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
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The BEST Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Ultra creamy, flavorful and delicious and made with only 3-ingredients! No hand mashing required. Let your stand mixer do all the work for you!
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Two stuffed mushrooms on plate with fork.
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
These Italian Stuffed Mushrooms are an irresistible party snack or appetizer. Easy to make with a mouthwatering blend of Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, and cheese, then baked with marinara sauce, it’s a recipe every party host needs on their menu.
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Instant Pot Pot Roast
This Instant Pot Pot Roast with Red Wine is hands-down the fastest and easiest version of this classic comfort food! It’s fall-apart tender, moist, and covered in a flavorful red wine gravy. Plus the creamy baby potatoes and tender carrots are made right in the same pot! 
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Honey Roasted Carrots
These honey roasted carrots are everything you want in a simple side dish. They’re sweet and savory with just the right level of caramelization to make your mouth water in anticipation! With a quick toss of olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper, they roast up beautifully and are presented with a pop of color from the sprinkle of fresh dill.
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Roasted Beets with Blood Oranges & Yogurt
Beautiful roasted beets with blood oranges, yogurt, fried rosemary oil, pistachios, briny olives, a splash of vinegar, and some honey to round it all out.
Recipe: The Original Dish
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Pecan Crusted Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
Can you think of anything that screams fall more than pecan crusted pork chops with apple chutney? Ha, didn’t think so!
Recipe: The Modern Proper
Pecan Crusted Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
Wild Rice and Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
One Pan Wild Rice and Cheesy Broccoli Casserole with mushrooms and toasted pecans. This hearty vegetarian meal is weeknight-approved!
Recipe: Dishing Out Health
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Chicken Pot Pie Croquettes
These chicken pot pie croquettes turns one of my favorite comfort foods into an all-in-one bite-sized appetizer!
Recipe: Cooking with Cocktail Rings
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Best Broccoli Salad
This easy broccoli salad recipe is a classic party side dish! It’s made with cranberries, red onion, almonds, and a creamy homemade dressing.
Recipe: Love and Lemons
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Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo
Baked sage chicken meatballs served with creamy orzo & spinach…the most delicious fall dinner that comes together really easily.
Recipe: The Original Dish
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Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Spaghetti Squash Casserole made with tomatoes, Italian spices, creamy ricotta cheese and parmesan is a delicious and hearty vegetarian-friendly dinner option or delicious side dish.
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Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard
Swiss chard makes for the best sautéed vegetable side dish. It’s quick, easy, and tastes delicious with fresh garlic!
Recipe: Downshiftology
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Double Kale Gratin
This double kale gratin has two kinds of kale, three kinds of cheese, cream and crunchy breadcrumbs. It will be your new favorite side dish!
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Modern Waldorf Salad
We took a classic Waldorf salad and gave it a modern twist. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or holiday entertaining.
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Fresh and Crunchy Lentil Salad
A wholesome and delicious lentil salad packed with vegetables and flavor from toasted cumin, garlic, lemon and almonds. This recipe is gluten-free and can easily be made vegan and dairy-free.
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Savory Pear Galette with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
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Bacon, Rosemary, and Gruyere Drop Biscuits
So much easier than traditional biscuits, these Bacon, Rosemary, and Gruyere Drop Biscuits are so flavorful and bake up in less than 20 minutes! Brushed with melted butter, and served warm from the oven, these homemade drop biscuits basically melt in your mouth. A great side-dish!
Recipe: Baker by Nature
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Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta
Whip this up in less than 30 min. So buttery, so garlicky, and so easy! Loaded with thyme mushrooms and toasted breadcrumbs!
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More Fall Favorites

  • Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Stuffing
  • Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl
  • Apple Cider Cocktail
  • The Best Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Gnocchi
  • Salted Caramel Apple Tartlets
  • Cheddar Spoon Bread

Did you Make Any of These Recipes that Pair Well with Butternut Squash?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of delicious pairings with butternut squash. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Collage of sides for butternut squash.

Full Recipe

35+ Ideas of What to Serve with Butternut Squash

In this post, I've curated a list of 35+ of the best pairings to complement the flavor of butternut squash, helping you create a well-rounded and delicious meal. From crisp salads like Fennel and Pear Salad to hearty mains like Pot Roast, and flavorful sides like Wild Rice Pilaf and a rich and savory gravy, you'll find plenty of inspiration to elevate your next butternut squash dish.
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Serves 6 servings
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 3 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

Short Ribs

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil (divided )
  • 6-8 bone-in beef short ribs (about 5 pounds)
  • 1 onion (cut into large pieces)
  • 2 stalks celery (cut into large pieces)
  • 3 carrots (peeled and cut into large pieces)
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
  • 2 ½ cups dry red wine
  • Water
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Creamy Polenta (for serving)

Instructions

Short Ribs

  • Dry the ribs thoroughly with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to an oven-safe heavy pot or dutch oven and heat over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the short ribs and brown on all sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. The pot should not be overcrowded. Work in batches if necessary.
  • While the short ribs are browning, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Puree all vegetables and garlic in a food processor or blender until finely chopped into a thick paste.
  • Once ribs are browned, remove the ribs to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Drain the fat from the pot and add remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil.
  • Add the pureed vegetables and season generously with salt. Brown over high heat, without stirring, for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste, stir, and let the vegetables brown for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Add the wine and, using a wooden spoon, scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir occasionally, letting this mixture reduce by half.
  • Once reduced, return the short ribs and any accumulated juices to the pot along with enough water to almost cover the meat. Add the thyme and bay leaves. Cover the pot and place it in the hot oven. Allow to cook for 2 1/2 hours, checking periodically and adding more water if needed. Remove the lid and cook for 30 minutes longer, to allow the sauce to further reduce.
  • Transfer the ribs to a serving platter or dish. Let the sauce and solids sit in the pot for a few minutes to cool and with a shallow spoon, skim off as much of the fat as possible from the surface. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper, and add the vinegar.
  • Serve the ribs on top of creamy polenta with additional braising liquid.

Notes

To Make Ahead: Prepare your short ribs as directed above. Allow to cool slightly and then place in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, scrape off any solidified fat that may rise to the surface. Bring the gravy and short ribs to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 970mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4050IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 0.7mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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