Roasted Squash Brown Sugar (Printable Version)

Tender roasted squash glazed with brown sugar and warm spices, perfect for hearty autumn sides.

# What You'll Need:

→ Squash

01 - 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Glaze

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Place the cubed squash in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
04 - Pour the glaze over the squash and toss thoroughly to coat each cube evenly.
05 - Spread the coated squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the squash is tender and caramelized.
07 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The edges get crispy and caramelized while the centers stay creamy and tender, giving you two textures in one bite.
  • It comes together in under an hour with just ten minutes of prep work, leaving you free to focus on the rest of the meal.
  • The warm spice profile makes it feel homey and special without any complicated technique or rare ingredients.
02 -
  • Cutting your squash into even pieces might feel fussy, but it's the difference between some pieces perfectly caramelized and others still watery—trust the consistency.
  • Don't skip turning the squash halfway through roasting; those unturned sides miss out on the crispy edges that make this dish special.
03 -
  • Pack your brown sugar firmly in the measuring spoon before adding it—loosely packed brown sugar gives you less sweetness than you bargained for.
  • If your squash pieces vary wildly in size, roast the larger ones on the middle-lower rack where it's hotter, so everything finishes around the same time.

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