Sick of the same old side dishes and sad steamed vegetables? This simple roasted delicata squash recipe will turn any mediocre meal into something extra special. You’ll finally look forward to a savory side once you bake these gourd-geous golden brown and crispy squash slices.
No special equipment or ingredients necessary. All you need is a dear little delicata squash, a knife, an oven, and a little bit of ordinary spice. Steam, slice, season, and roast—that’s the way we like it most!
So scoop up that sassy squash and let’s get started!
If you’ve been suspicious of squash in the past, then this is the recipe for you. We’re pretty positive that this scrumptious delicata squash will win you over. And, if you’re still not quite satisfied, here are even more reasons why you should make this uncomplicated roasted recipe.
- Easy to cut and simple to make
- Delicious and highly satisfying
- Nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals, while also low in calories
- Great way to use up extra squash from the garden or local farmer’s market
- Gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and dairy-free
Tips for Serving Up Your Simple Roasted Squash
While this vegan roasted squash recipe is meant to be simple and stress-free, we also wanted to inspire you with other ideas for baking and serving. Once you feel comfortable cooking with these gorgeous little gourds, you can come up with your own culinary creations.
- So Much Squash, So Little Time – You can use other types of squash for this recipe. Kabocha, acorn, and butternut all work well in this recipe. Steaming time may vary with squashes that are more dense than the delicata, so remember to microwave in 1 minute extra intervals if 4 minutes is not enough and your squash is still very hard.
- Dare To Make a Double Batch – You may find that you (or your family) will gobble up this single squash in one sitting. In that case, microwave as many squash as you wish, cool, prepare, and cut them all before adding to the baking sheets. Each single squash uses approximately one entire baking sheet so, if you have extra sheets, make as much squash as you wish.
- Let’s Get Saucy – Make a terrific tahini sauce to accompany your roasted squash. Add 2 tablespoons of tahini to a small bowl and add ½-1 tablespoon of warm water. Use a fork or whisk to mix well. Drizzle over your squash or add to a small bowl for dipping.
- Spice It Up – When adding your winter squash to the oven, consider sprinkling in a few spices to make it extra special. Flavors that complement this cozy side include: thyme, cumin, chili, smoked paprika, sage, ginger, and cinnamon. Yum!
- No Pain, More Grain – Roasted squash partners perfectly with creamy pastas and whole grains. Serve alongside plant-based macaroni and cheese, vegan risotto, quirky quinoa, or basic brown rice. Lovely, warm, and super filling.
How To Make Simple Roasted Delicata Squash
No need to feel intimidated by baking this lovely little squash. Just take it step by step and you’ll be amazed at how simple it really is. If you’re nervous because you’ve never liked squash in the past, we think you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by the incredible flavor and texture of this recipe.
- Preheat the oven. Wash and dry the squash. Cut off the ends.
- Steam the squash in the microwave for 4 minutes. Cool before cutting.
- Make ½” slices and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Oil, season, and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Add tahini sauce, if desired, and enjoy!
Star Ingredient: The Dashing Delicata!
Delicata is such a special style of winter squash. Besides it’s beautiful little bumps and luminous lemon-lime color, it’s got a delicate brown sugar flavor and creamy texture. We also love it because:
- High in fiber
- Good source of vitamins A and C, lutein, potassium, and folate
- Only 80 calories per cup
- Smaller and easier to cut than other squashes
- Low in carbs (if that is something you need to reduce)