Microwave Acorn Squash

Reasons to love

• Ready in Minutes: Cooks in a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven roasting.
• Versatile: Enjoy the roasted acorn squash halves as-is, or stuff them with your favorite savory or sweet fillings.
• Quick & Hassle-Free: No peeling required — just cut in half, scoop out the seeds, and microwave.
• Cozy & Delicious: A simple combo of brown sugar and butter adds the perfect touch of sweetness and richness.
• Perfect for Busy Weeknights or Holiday Sides: Easy enough for everyday meals, yet special enough for fall gatherings.

How to tell if an acorn squash is ripe

Selecting a ripe acorn squash is important to ensure that it's flavorful and has the right texture for cooking. Ripe acorn squash should have a deep, dark green colored skin that is dull or matte and not shiny. Shiny skin can indicate that it's underripe.

Gently press your thumb into the skin. Ripe squash should have a hard and firm skin. If it feels soft or has any blemishes or spots, it may be overripe. Like an eggplant, it should feel heavy for its size, which indicates a higher moisture content.

How to cut acorn squash in half?

Place the whole acorn squash on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully cut it vertically from top to bottom, through the stem and base. For added stability, you can slice off about ¼ inch from both the stem end and the bottom — this creates a flat surface so the squash doesn’t wobble while cutting.

If your squash is particularly tough or large, poke a few holes in it with a fork and microwave it for 2 to 3 minutes. This softens the skin slightly and makes it much easier to cut in half.

Once halved, scoop out the seeds and stringy fibers with a spoon. It is now ready for the microwave.

How to serve roasted acorn squash halves

While these are delicious on their own with the brown sugar and butter glaze, they also make a perfect base for a variety of flavorful fillings.

• Quinoa and vegetables - Combine cooked quinoa with a mix of cooked or roasted vegetables and feta cheese.
• Apple and cinnamon - Fill with a mixture of diced apples, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. Top with a crumble made from oats, flour, and butter. Use the crumble topping recipe from peach crumble.
• Sausage and apple - Combine crumbled sausage with diced apples, sautéed onions, breadcrumbs, sage, and a touch of maple syrup.
• Mushroom and wild rice - A mixture of wild rice and sautéed mushrooms with garlic and onions.
• Cranberry and pecans - Mix dried cranberries and chopped pecans with a little honey or brown sugar.
• Sweet potato and marshmallow - Combine mashed sweet potatoes, mini marshmallows, ground cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Lentil and spinach - Mix cooked lentils with sautéed spinach, garlic, and a tomato-based sauce.
• Pumpkin pie - Make a filling with pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

How to cook acorn squash in the microwave (step-by-step photos)?

You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

Cut the acorn squash in half vertically. Scoop out the seeds using a large spoon and discard or use for roasting.

Tip: Don't toss the squash eeds. Check out this recipe for roasted seeds. It makes a healthy snack!

1.Add 3 tablespoons water into a microwave safe baking dish.

2. Place it flesh side down. Microwave for 7 to 9 minutes.

3 & 4. While the squash is cooking, mix melted butter, brown sugar, salt and black pepper together in a small bowl.

5. Check if the acorn squash is tender by inserting the tip of a knife into it.

How long to cook in the microwave?

Microwave cooking times will vary depending on the wattage and size of the squash. The advantage of microwaving acorn squash is that you can easily test for doneness and adjust the timing. It is done cooking when a knife or fork can pierce the tender flesh and the vegetable feels soft to touch.

6. Using tongs, flip the squash over.

7. Drizzle mixed brown sugar-butter mixture on the flesh and pour the remaining, along with the seasoning into the cavity. Microwave for 2 to 4 minutes or until golden and tender.

Recipe tips

• Cook in batches if needed -If you are cooking a larger acorn squash and it does not fit in your microwave, then cook one half at a time.
• Choose your tenderness - Cook as soft as you want, although it is delicious when cooked soft enough to be scooped with a spoon.
• Use maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar.
• Use coconut oil instead of butter to make it vegan.
• Add a dash of cayenne and cumin powder along with the brown sugar for some savory notes.

More Easy Squash Recipes

• Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves results in tender, succulent squash with a caramelized exterior.
• Easy Roasted Butternut Squash is perfectly caramelized, featuring a subtle sweetness and a caramelized sticky glaze from brown sugar and butter. 
• Butternut Squash Casserole features a sweet and creamy filling that topped with a buttery pecan topping, that’s sure to steal the show at your Thanksgiving dinner.