Thanksgiving Squash Recipes So Tasty, They Might Just Upstage the Turkey

Coconut Acorn Squash and Carrot Soup

Why wait until dessert or side dish time to kick off the Thanksgiving squash recipes? This easy acorn squash and carrot soup is a silky starter that’s no-sweat to add to your holiday menu. Tender cooked squash meet carrots, onion, ginger, and coconut milk, and after a blitz with an immersion blender (or regular blender), the result is an earthy, aromatic, and remarkably smooth soup that will make everyone swoon.

Test Kitchen Tip: Trim down on prep time for this recipe by cooking the squash in the microwave for 7 minutes, rather than roasting it for 40. The flavor and texture difference is nearly indistinguishable.

Macaroni Alfredo with Pumpkin and Kale

We first fell in love with this casserole recipe as a fall comfort food dinner. With vitamin-packed fresh kale and canned pumpkin, protein-rich evaporated fat-free milk, and just enough cheese, this is one cozy casserole that makes it a cinch to sneak in some extra nutrition. But the pasta with creamy, sage-scented Alfredo sauce is certainly showy and decadent-tasting enough to serve as a holiday side dish. 

Baked Butternut Squash with Thyme

Butternut squash doesn’t often get to step into the spotlight as much as it does here, in this easy Thanksgiving squash recipe. The earthy, naturally-sweet qualities of the winter squash deserve celebrating, don’t you think? That’s why we created this streamlined recipe, which calls for roasting butternut with butter, thyme, salt, and nothing else. The clear fall flavors act as a welcome counterpoint to the layered casseroles and heavier sides.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie

If you, too, often feel compelled to skip straight to dessert, this might just be the Thanksgiving squash recipe you’ve been waiting for. Although it might look like grandma’s version, this is not your basic pumpkin pie. We’ve infused it with mascarpone cheese for richness, plus brewed espresso, pumpkin pie spice, and caramel sauce to lend the latte vibes.

Crispy Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted vegetables: elegant and crowd-pleasing enough for any holiday table, yet easy enough for a weeknight. This Thanksgiving squash recipe is particularly appropriate for the season, since butternut squash is just hitting its peak season stride in November. When you cut the sturdy squash into ¾-inch cubes, it roasts to tender, caramelized perfection in just 20 minutes. During the final 5, toss the vegetables with grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of dried or fresh herbs for bonus flavor (without burning).

Roasted Pumpkin, Arugula, and Dried Cherry Salad

This thoroughly-fall salad is a multitasker’s dream. (Translation: This Thanksgiving squash recipe won’t eat up too much of your holiday menu prep time.) As the pumpkin cubes roast, combine arugula with dried cherries and pumpkin seeds, then shake up the maple syrup-spiked white balsamic vinaigrette. Once the squash is fork-tender and starting to get a bit golden, add it to the party. Drizzle with dressing, toss, and you’re done.

Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

To max out the seasonal flavors with a minimal amount of fuss, carve out 15 minutes to prep this 4-ingredient Thanksgiving squash recipe so it’s oven-ready. After that, the rest of the dessert-like dish pretty much finishes itself. Two-thirds through the roasting time of the unadorned acorn squash halves, take a timeout from the rest of your menu prep to coat the cavities with maple syrup, melted butter, orange zest, and cinnamon or nutmeg. Roast for 15 minutes more, and drizzle with the pan juices just before serving for a final punch of warm, sweet, and bright flavor.

Kale, Fennel, and Roasted Delicata Salad

With its pleasant-to-eat skin and sweet potato-like flavor, delicata is a fall delight we look forward to every year. The winter squash itself, plus its seasoned, roasted seeds, teams up with crunchy kale, crisp fennel, and chewy pickled raisins in this easy Thanksgiving squash recipe. Even the salad-averse will agree that the miso-lemon vinaigrette-tossed vegetables are a welcome burst of color and fresh flavor amidst a sea of beige dishes.

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls with Honey Butter

Perk up your dinner roll repertoire with this Thanksgiving squash recipe that taps into the powers of canned pumpkin. (What can’t that superstar pantry staple do?!) In addition to a cup of that squash purée, a bit of nutty whole wheat flour plus some warm brown sugar and cinnamon make this a crescent roll recipe that tastes perfectly appropriate for any fall occasion. The luscious honey butter and the pretty crescent shape help dress up the rolls so they’re ready for their red carpet moment on your holiday table.

Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Even on turkey day, it’s important to remember and prepare for vegetarians. This Thanksgiving squash recipe is one of our favorite meat-free main dish alternatives. Stuff acorn squash halves with an aromatic-infused, dried cherry-spiked whole grain salad. Then the bountiful cornucopia is ready to roast, crown with crunchy hazelnuts…and quite possibly outshine the bird.

Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake

We could talk all day about how this casserole makes us melt. An upgraded mac and cheese with savory mushrooms, crumbled bacon, and a ridiculously creamy cheese sauce that’s based around butternut squash purée? Sign us up. But don’t just take our word for it that this baked pasta is worthy of your holiday table. BHG fans deem it “bomb,” “one of my favorite recipes,” and “a hit!” “Squash gave it a slightly different dimension without screaming healthy,” another reports. 

Roasted Acorn Squash and Beet Salad

If you’re worried about getting everything to the table on time or are stressed about oven space, add this Thanksgiving squash recipe to your line-up. The roasted beets, squash, and salad dressing can all be made up to a day ahead. Refrigerate each separately overnight, then just toss those ingredients together with mixed greens and you’re as golden as those beets. 

Buttered Spaghetti Squash

We originally tested and perfected this roasted spaghetti squash recipe to act as a pasta alternative. But if you omit the marinara and allow the squash to speak for itself, this is a really solid Thanksgiving squash recipe. This is especially true if you follow the game plan with butter, Parmesan, and salt, then opt for holiday MVPs chopped sage, thyme, or rosemary instead of basil, oregano, or parsley.

Winter Squash and Brown Bread Stuffing

Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, we can all agree that this side dish is about so much more than the bread. Here, a mix of honey wheat and raisin bread set the foundation, and the typical supporting cast of chicken broth, celery, onion, and sage join the cast. The plot thickens—and the recipe gets far more delicious—when we invite nutmeg and sautéd winter squash, too. The old-fashioned brown bread and squash sneak in a hint of sweetness, which is a treat alongside the aromatic elements and the savory broth-soaked wheat bread.