11 recipes that flip winter squash into scrumptious and nutritious meals

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The winter squash is just beginning to ripen. When autumn rolls in, they will also be easily and cheaply available in grocery stores.

There are many types of winter squash, but you can swap most of them in many recipes (with the exception of texture, like in spaghetti squash). With that in mind, here are 11 recipes that use winter squash to get the full benefit of those nutritious squash.

Winter pumpkin donuts

Donuts make winter squash crispy and irresistible. These winter pumpkin donuts can be flavored with anything from cumin, garlic, chili powder, onions, shallots to taco seasoning or even curry powder. You can top it with some sour cream or sprinkle some cheese on top, if you like. You can even make them smaller to use as an appetizer.

Roasted butternut squash with red onions

Roasted butternut squash with red onions Photo credit: Sarah Walker Caron / BDN

This roasted butternut squash with red onion is simple and easy, but it takes time. Slow cooking can develop the flavors. Once cooked, however, it can be served as a side dish, served over rice with some grilled chicken for a simple dinner, tossed into salads, or wrapped in a wrap with other vegetables and maybe some chicken and blue cheese. The possibilities are endless.

Flatbread pizza with toasted pumpkin and kale

Sweet toasted butternut squash mixes with earthy kale, fresh garlic, and two cheeses for a filling and still very fresh pizza dinner that’s ready in under 15 minutes (if you roast the squash ahead of time). This toasted pumpkin and kale flatbread pizza is a healthy, quick dinner meal that’s popular with both adults and kids.

pumpkin pie

Don’t limit yourself to pumpkin pie. This pumpkin pie recipe is a great way to get creative with the pumpkins of your choice.

Butternut squash and bell pepper casserole

This butternut squash and pepper casserole recipe is perfect for a simple, fall-flavored dinner. Your family is sure to dig into the cheesy goodness.

Baked acorn squash with pineapple

Winter squash and summer pineapple may seem like an odd combination, but this baked acorn squash with pineapple recipe is a delicious way to bring the seasons together in one dish.

Roasted winter squash with a pepper jelly glaze

This roasted winter squash with a pepper jelly glaze brings the cheese platter to life. Red pepper jellies are available in different degrees of spiciness, which go perfectly with sweet and starchy pumpkins.

Photo credit: Sarah Walker Caron / BDN

Ravioli with roasted pumpkin and sage

Pumpkin is more commonly used in jack-o’-lanterns and pies than it is for dinner, but they are a delicious addition to dinner. This Roasted Pumpkin and Sage Ravioli can be made with a variety of winter pumpkins, but nothing beats the classic pumpkin.

pumpkin risotto

For this surprisingly simple risotto, you can use butternut, blue hubbard, or a similarly finely textured bright orange pumpkin. Simply fry the pumpkin in oil on the stove and be patient with this recipe for pumpkin risotto.

Golden vegetable casserole

Golden Vegetable Casserole uses seasonally available root vegetables to make a hearty and filling dish. Credit: Courtesy Sandy Oliver, Taste Buds

This golden vegetable casserole uses a mix of colorful vegetables, from pumpkin to sweet potato to carrots. Butternut squash brings out the “gold” in it, but you can use any squash you want. When you have something left over, you can turn it into a hearty soup by adding chicken or vegetable broth to thin out, pureeing, and adding black beans or pieces of ham, cooked chicken or cooked burger crumbs.

Stuffed acorn squash

Stuffed acorn squash Credit: Courtesy Sandy Oliver, Taste Buds

If you’re having a bumper crop of pumpkin, an obvious choice is to cut it in half, then fill it with something tasty, and bake it until tender. The best thing about this recipe for stuffed acorn squash is that you can take the quickest route and use the store’s instructions to make pre-packaged fillings or add onions, garlic, celery, some boiled sausage, and extra herbs like you might do on Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin is tasty and versatile. These recipes will let you see the fruit in a whole new way.