Description

A warm and flavorful side dish featuring tender butternut squash roasted with a blend of aromatic spices including garam masala, paprika, and a hint of cayenne for subtle heat. This spiced roasted butternut squash is coated with brown sugar and olive oil, then oven-roasted to perfection, resulting in a caramelized, slightly sweet and savory vegetable dish perfect for fall or holiday meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 pounds peeled and chopped butternut squash (pre-cut or one large or two medium whole squash)

Spices & Seasonings

¾ teaspoon garam masala
¾ teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Others

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by coating it lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Toss squash with oil: Place the peeled and chopped butternut squash into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the squash pieces and toss them thoroughly until evenly coated with the oil.
Combine and add spices: In a small bowl, mix together all the spices: garam masala, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Sprinkle this spice mixture over the oiled squash. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly covered with the spices.
Roast the squash: Spread the spiced butternut squash out evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully stir and flip the squash pieces with a spatula to promote even browning.
Continue roasting: Return the squash to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender and has a nicely browned, caramelized exterior.

Notes

The squash can be pre-cut or you can use one large or two medium whole butternut squashes peeled and chopped yourself.
Cayenne pepper is optional, add it if you want a bit of heat.
Make sure to toss the squash halfway through roasting to ensure even cooking and browning.
You can adjust the amount of brown sugar slightly depending on how sweet you want the dish.