32 Winter Squash Recipes to Squash the Cold-Weather Blues
From cast-iron squash pudding to squash-and-pork dumplings, these winter squash recipes will warm your cold soul
Sure, summer squash comes around when everything's rainbows and sunshine, but the winter variety is there for you through the bitter cold. And there are so many types—from butternut squash and spaghetti squash to kabocha, and of course pumpkin—, perfect for squash recipes both savory and sweet.
Winter soups get a boost of sweetness with squash: silky-smooth Dominican cream of pumpkin soup becomes rich with just a quick purée of roasted squash, while a delicata squash-and-pear soup is layered with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Then there's pasta: think pappardelle tossed with walnuts, roasted butternut squash with a brown butter sauce; or an elegant, open-faced lasagna offsetting smoked caciocavallo cheese with acorn squash. Need a side dish for a meaty main? Our best winter squash side dish recipes help pad out the menu. For sweet squash recipes, nothing beats pumpkin pie, a classic recipe using pumpkin purée enriched with evaporated milk and brown sugar, then spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Our maple pumpkin brûlée pie uses maple syrup to make the filling ever richer, while torching the pie just before serving gives it a crunchy, caramelized top for added flair.
From cast-iron squash pudding to squash-and-pork dumplings, here are 32 winter squash recipes that will keep you warm through the winter.
Herbed Squash Confit
The spongelike nature of squash makes them an ideal candidate to cook confit, says chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Union. They soften into the warm oil, absorbing the flavor of the herbs. Get the recipe for Herbed Squash Confit »
Grilled Lamb Chops and Squash with Herb Salad and Sunchokes
Grilled Lamb Chops and Squash with Herb Salad and Sunchokes
Butternut Squash Boulangère
Braised squash with bacon and onions is an easy crowd-pleaser with loads of deep, caramelized flavors. Get the recipe for Butternut Squash Boulangère »
Pappardelle with Butternut Squash, Walnuts, and Baby Kale
Toasted walnuts, roasted butternut squash, baby kale, and a rich brown butter sauce combine over broad pappardelle noodles for a dish that perfectly captures fall’s best flavors. Get the recipe for Pappardelle with Butternut Squash, Walnuts, and Baby Kale »
Butternut Squash and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza (Pizza del Papa)
Antonio Starita, the owner of Pizzeria Starita in Naples, served this butternut squash-topped pizza to Pope John Paul II.
Chickpea Stew with Lamb, Pork, and Veal (Cozido de Grão)
Chickpeas are bolstered with spicy sausage and three kinds of meat in a filling stew served at País das Uvas in Vila de Frades, Portugal. Get the recipe for Chickpea Stew with Lamb, Pork, and Veal »
Broiled Spaghetti Squash with Walnut-Miso Glaze
It’s rare that we encounter spaghetti squash not shredded into its eponymous noodle-like threads. But kept intact, it reveals a beautifully yielding texture and a savory, subtle flavor that’s perfectly offset by a rich walnut-miso glaze.
Soy-Braised Kabocha Squash
Braising—with a healthy dose of soy—is one of our favorite ways to bring out the texture and flavor of winter squash.
Winter Squash and Apple Soup
A garnish of fried mushrooms and a drizzle of spiced mint butter adds elegance to a simple pureed vegetable soup.
Seasonal Squash Tart
Get creative with the topping for this tart, which will help to really stretch leftover squash and other vegetables. Store-bought puff pastry makes a simple dish even simpler. Get the recipe for Seasonal Squash Tart »
Chilean Vegetables Stew
This rustic comfort food has ancient origins with the Mapuche people of South America, but remains a humble staple for home cooks in Chile today. Traditionally made using dried beef called charqui, this vegetarian version can be served plain as a side dish or topped with a fried egg for a simple meal.
Lemon-and-Herb-Roasted Vegetables
Chopped whole lemon and spicy fresh ginger lend brightness to hearty roasted vegetables including sweet potatoes, acorn squash, and carrots.
Argentine Hominy Stew (Locro)
This creamy, slightly sweet stew is made with squash, hominy, and several kinds of meat.
Peanut and Chicken Stew (Mafe Ginaar)
For this delicious, sumptuous stew, you can make your own peanut butter or use a natural store-bought version to get the right silky texture and pure peanut flavor.
Open-Faced Lasagna with Acorn Squash and Smoked Caciocavallo
This layerless lasagna recipe from Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri uses an egg-rich dough, but store-bought fresh pasta sheets can be substituted.
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Mascarpone
This batter also makes delicious muffins, perfect for a day-after-Thanksgiving brunch.
Pumpkin Old Fashioned
Mingling the orange-scented old fashioned with subtly sweet pumpkin yields a brilliantly colored seasonal cocktail. Get the recipe for Pumpkin Old Fashioned »
Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Gingersnap Crust
Creamy pumpkin filling over a ginger cookie crust provides a comforting balance of sweetness and spice.
Potato and Squash Gratin (Gratin de Courge)
The Provençal version of this gratin calls for a French pumpkin called potiron, but a combination of acorn and butternut squash will make a good substitute.
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Oregano-Hazelnut Pesto
Basil and oregano add herbal brightness to butternut squash, browned butter, and hazelnuts in a sweet-savory pasta dish. Get the recipe for Butternut Squash Ravioli with Oregano-Hazelnut Pesto »
Pear, Shallot, and Delicata Squash Soup
Pear and autumn squash take on savory depth in this elegant soup, brightened by a splash of vinegar and a drizzle of maple syrup.
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