Velvety mashed butternut squash with a touch of brown sugar, maple, and warming spices. A simple, healthy, and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings.
Optional for serving: maple syruppats of butter, fresh thyme
Instructions
Preheat Oven And Prepare Pan: Position your oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup effortless. Ensuring the oven is fully preheated before roasting helps the squash caramelize evenly, enhancing natural sweetness and flavor.
Prepare Butternut Squash For Roasting: Place the whole butternut squash on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice the squash in half lengthwise from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and fibrous strands using a spoon, discarding them or saving for roasting later. Gently prick the cut surface with a fork to allow heat to penetrate during roasting. Rub the cut surfaces with olive oil using a pastry brush or your fingertips. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor during roasting.
Roast Squash Until Tender: Lay the squash halves cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet so the skin faces upward. Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 40–50 minutes, or until the flesh is extremely tender when pierced with a fork and the edges develop a light caramelization. Roasting with the cut side down locks in moisture and intensifies the natural sweetness.
Cool Squash Slightly Before Handling: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. Flip the squash halves over so the cut sides are facing up. Allow the squash to cool just enough to handle safely, but keep it warm. Handling the squash while still warm makes mashing easier and ensures a smooth texture.
Scoop And Mash Squash: Carefully scoop the roasted squash flesh into a large mixing bowl using a spoon. Use a potato masher or a handheld mixer on low speed to mash the squash until creamy. Avoid over-mashing, which can make the texture gummy; aim for a fluffy, smooth consistency.
Add Sweeteners And Seasonings: Incorporate the melted butter, light brown sugar, pure maple syrup, garlic powder, dried thyme, ground sage, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix with a potato masher or handheld mixer on low until ingredients are fully combined and evenly distributed throughout the mash.
Incorporate Cream For Smoothness: Add the heavy cream to the squash mixture and mix on low initially to prevent splattering. Gradually increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 2 minutes until the mash becomes smooth, light, and fluffy. Adjust the cream quantity to achieve the desired texture, keeping it luscious and rich.
Taste And Adjust Flavors: Taste the mashed butternut squash carefully. Add additional salt, pepper, maple syrup, brown sugar, or cream as needed to balance sweetness, richness, and seasoning. Flavor adjustments at this stage ensure the final dish matches your personal preference.
Serve Warm And Garnish: Transfer the mash to a serving bowl. Drizzle lightly with maple syrup, add a few pats of butter, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a visually appealing and flavorful presentation. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
Butter Choice: Using salted butter enhances the natural sweetness of the squash, but unsalted works too—just increase the kosher salt slightly to balance flavors.
Squash Selection: Choose a firm, heavy squash with smooth skin and no soft spots for best roasting results.
Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust cinnamon, nutmeg, or sage to taste. Start small and increase gradually for balanced flavor.
Cream Consistency: Add more heavy cream if you prefer an extra-smooth, velvety texture.
Serving Temperature: Serve warm for the best flavor and creamy texture; reheating slightly is better than serving cold.
Scaling Recipe: This recipe scales easily. Multiply ingredients proportionally for larger gatherings or reduce for smaller servings.