Savory Maple Squash (Printable)

Tender roasted squash glazed with maple syrup, herbs, and a hint of spice for autumn meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Glaze & Seasoning

02 - 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1½ tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
07 - ¾ tsp sea salt
08 - ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes if using, and minced garlic.
03 - Add squash cubes to the bowl and toss thoroughly until evenly coated with the glaze mixture.
04 - Spread the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring pieces are not overcrowded.
05 - Roast for 30–35 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until squash is golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork.
06 - Remove from oven and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The maple syrup creates these irresistible caramelized edges that make the squash taste like candy but without any refined sugar
  • It comes together in under an hour but looks fancy enough for Thanksgiving or dinner parties
  • The recipe is forgiving enough that you can adjust the heat and sweetness to match whatever mood youre in
02 -
  • cutting the squash into uniform 1 inch cubes is the difference between perfectly tender pieces and some that are raw while others are burned
  • The smoked paprika is not optional, its what makes this taste restaurant quality instead of like a basic roasted vegetable
03 -
  • Dont skip the parchment paper, the maple syrup gets sticky and youll thank yourself during cleanup
  • Let the squash cool for about 5 minutes before serving so the glaze has time to set up slightly

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