This Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe is a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners. It is rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious!
If you’re wondering what to make with butternut squash for Thanksgiving dinner, you’ve just found a new favorite way to enjoy it! This simple mash makes a delicious alternative to mashed sweet potatoes and is perfect when you want to serve something a little different for your holiday dinner.
Butternut squash has a naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavor and is incredibly versatile. You can make oven-roasted butternut squash with brown sugar for a cozy side dish, or try a spicy butternut squash curry for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
Butternut Squash: You’ll need one butternut squash, about 3 to 4 pounds, and keep in mind that the baking time will vary depending on the size of the squash.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of butternut squash and helps it caramelize in the oven, adding a rich depth of flavor.
Butter: Melted butter gives this sweet mash a rich taste that makes it feel extra special and perfect for the holidays.
Cream: You can use whole milk for a lighter weeknight version, but heavy cream adds luxurious richness — just be sure to warm the cream before mixing it in for the best texture.
Spices: A simple blend of salt, pepper, and ground cinnamon adds cozy flavor, or you can use pumpkin pie spice for a festive twist.
Best way to cook butternut squash for mash
You can cook butternut squash in the oven, air fryer, or by boiling or steaming it. Baking or air frying helps the squash caramelize, bringing out its naturally sweet, nutty flavor. In this recipe, I use the oven method, but you can also check out my air fryer roasted butternut squash halves for a faster option — the air fryer cooks in less time than the oven. If you’re short on time, you can cut the squash into chunks and steam it for about 20 minutes. Just remember that while steaming is quicker, the squash tends to absorb water and won’t develop quite as much flavor as roasting or air frying.
How to make mashed butternut squash
You can find the full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Tips for Success
- I find it easiest to slice off the stem end of the whole butternut squash before cutting it in half.
- You can skip the brown sugar if you prefer a savory mashed butternut squash instead.
- Make sure to cook the squash until it’s very tender for the best texture.
- If you prefer a smoother puree, transfer the scooped flesh to a food processor and blend until silky and smooth, instead of mashing by hand.
Mashed Butternut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (3 to 4 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted divided
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, not packed divided
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt divided (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup heavy cream warmed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a small baking sheet with foil for easy clean up.
- Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. I find it easiest to first slice off the stem end, then cut it in half. Use a large spoon to remove the seeds and any stringy fibers.
- Place the butternut squash halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the cut sides with melted butter (reserving the rest for later).
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered squash.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until the squash is very tender when pierced with a knife. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, or until it’s warm enough to handle. Then, use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh and transfer it to a large bowl.
- Mash the squash well with a potato masher until it’s smooth and lump-free. For an ultra-smooth texture, transfer it to a food processor and blend until creamy and velvety.
- Add the remaining melted butter, warm cream, cinnamon, and the remaining salt. Mix well, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Based on the recipe from SpendWithPennies, with a few adjustments.
More Thanksgiving Squash Recipes
- Sweet butternut squash casserole features a creamy mashed squash filling, topped with a buttery pecan topping, that’s sure to steal the show at your Thanksgiving dinner.
- These microwave acorn squash halves are perfectly roasted with brown sugar and butter. It is fork-tender and a fast and easy way to cook an acorn squash.
- Oven-roasted butternut squash with brown sugar and butter is sweet, tender, and perfectly caramelized. It’s incredibly easy to make and the perfect squash for Thanksgiving, fall dinners, or any weeknight meal!
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