Zap a sweet seasonal side in no time with this recipe for Microwave Butternut Squash.
Butternut squash is one of those foods you typically associate with a particular time of year: the fall. Like a big ol’ turkey dinner and pumpkin-spiced everything, most of us only think about serving up some delish butternut squash when the temp starts to dip.
If I’m being completely honest with you, sometimes in the past I’ve avoided using butternut squash because it takes SO LONG to roast in the oven. Sure, it’s all worth it once you’re chowing down on a sweet slice of squash, but the long roasting time often means extra stress during an already busy dinnertime.
My solution? Pop your butternut squash in the microwave! Seriously, this miraculous invention makes preparing and serving a succulent side dish of butternut squash doable even on a weeknight.
So don’t wait for Thanksgiving to cook yourself up some butternut squash. With your microwave at the ready, you’ll be enjoying this fork-tender veggie in minutes!
Is Microwave Butternut Squash Healthy?
Yes, it is. With a generous amount of vitamin A and a good dose of fiber, butternut squash is a nutrient-dense side to add to your weekly meal rotation. And don’t worry about the microwave nuking all those rich nutrients into oblivion. Get this: microwaving is one of the best ways to preserve your food’s vitamins and minerals! So, not only is the microwave super convenient, it can help everyone meet their health goals too. What’s not to love?
Why Is My Microwave Butternut Squash Still Tough?
As amazing as the microwave is, there’s a potential downside to relying on it: uneven cooking. Since your squash won’t spend hours roasting away in an oven, it’s more likely those bursts in the microwave won’t cook every nook and cranny at the same rate, which leads to dreaded tough patches in your final product.
But don’t worry! There are simple ways to make every bite of your butternut squash tender while using your microwave. First, rotating halfway through is a must to let those heat waves work their magic throughout the squash’s fiber-filled center.
To test your squash for doneness, a fork is your best friend. Poke through different points in your heated butternut squash to see if there are still any tough bits, then pop it back in the microwave for 30-second bursts until you’re satisfied.
Speaking of poking your butternut squash, take a few seconds to poke holes throughout your squash before microwaving. This simple hack helps moisture escape while cooking, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally creating a watery squash soup!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover microwaved butternut squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Butternut squash has a legendary reputation on the Thanksgiving dinner table, but that doesn’t mean you have to serve butternut squash with turkey dinner. This recipe pairs great with savory recipes like Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers or Easy Turkey Meatloaf, but don’t limit yourself when serving this side.
Honestly, the sweetness in this butternut squash works well as a side for so many protein-packed lunches and dinners, including this Strawberry Chicken Salad or Grilled Mexican Corn Salad With Tomatillos. You could also use butternut squash as a fun base for building a bowl jam-packed with your favorite meats, veggies, and toppings (check out this Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl With Chicken for some recipe inspiration). Depending on the different herbs or spices you add to your butternut squash, you’ll see it’s so easy to make it complement a ton of different meals.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash about 2 1/2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Carefully cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife.
- Scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh from the squash halves with a spoon.
- Rub the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Place the squash halves cut-side down in a microwave-safe dish.
- Microwave on high for 10 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. If necessary, continue to microwave in 2-minute increments until fully cooked.
- Carefully remove the dish from the microwave using oven mitts and let the squash cool slightly before handling.
- Once cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the squash flesh into strands, if desired, or serve in halves.
How long to cook per pound, halved and seeded? Maybe I missed that info.
(I didn’t know butternut squash could be scraped into strands like spaghetti squash).
HI Jill, it should take around 10 mins but you may need to adjust time a bit depending on size. Enjoy!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Awesome, thanks for the feedback!