Healthy sides have never been easier than this delicious and healthy roasted butternut squash recipe. This squash side is soft on the inside with a slightly crisped outside. Enjoy a low calorie side with unique flavor blend of rosemary, honey, and goat cheese. Plus, you can easily create new flavorful combinations with my suggested topping additions!

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Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

This roasted butternut squash with goat cheese is the perfect healthy side dish for Thanksgiving.

Whereas most squash recipes offer butternut squash with brown sugar, butter or other less-than-healthy options, this recipe is a quick and simple low calorie butternut squash recipe.

Healthy butternut squash recipe pinterest image.

It is the perfect side to replace sweet potato casseroles since it has a similar texture and feel to it.

I’m excited to join several bloggers all sharing their own healthy Thanksgiving recipe! Make sure to check out the posts at the bottom of my recipe to transform your Thanksgiving meal this year into a healthier option.

Health Benefits of Butternut Squash

While butternut squash is considered a starch, it has many health benefits. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

It is low calorie and fiber rich, making it a great choice for a side dish. While both sweet potatoes and butternut squash are rich in vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes have about double the calories, carbs and sugar per serving.

That’s why this recipe would be a great healthy substitution for sweet potatoes this year!

Kitchen corner with prepared squash dish.

To break it down a bit further, this winter squash has less than 70 calories per cup, with only 3 grams of sugar. Combine that with smart toppings, like in this recipe, and you have a flavorful and healthy side dish!

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Butternut squash has a sweet nutty flavor reminiscent of a pumpkin. In this recipe, I pull out those sweet notes with the addition of honey.

Butternut squash with honey is a great substitution for brown sugar or other sweeteners. Honey is all natural and has loads of antioxidants. It gives this easy roasted butternut squash the hint of sweetness that it needs to feel more rich.

Next, I add rosemary, salt and pepper to bring out full flavors. Rosemary butternut squash has tons of flavor since rosemary is one of the most aromatic and flavorful herbs. It has a lemon-pine taste that pairs well with the nutty flavor of the squash.

Then, once the squash is fully prepared, I like to top it with creamy goat cheese. Goat cheese doesn’t have an overpowering flavor. So, it adds a nice creamy texture that makes this healthy squash recipe feel more like comfort food.

Of course, there are a lot more options for preparation! Here are a couple more additions that I’ve done in the past that amp up the flavor.

Add caramelized red onion slices for extra sweetness.
Top with pecans to enhance the nutty elements.
Swap the goat cheese for feta for a more robust flavor combination.
Include roasted garlic.

Now, let’s get to this very simple recipe!

You can find a printable version of this recipe at the end of this post.

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe calls for very few, but impactful, ingredients.

2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
2-3 springs Fresh Rosemary
1/8 cup Honey
2 oz. Goat Cheese Crumbles
1 Large Butternut Squash

Of course, you can add in nuts, garlic, onions, or any other aromatics you desire!

Preparation

First, begin by cutting the top and bottom off your squash. Then, cut your squash in half at the point where the bottom starts to become bulbous.

Cutting off the top of a butternut squash. — Cut off top and bottom.

Cut butternut squash in half — Cut off top and bottom.

Next, peel your butternut squash fully. I find that using a large chef’s knife works well for the bulbous area, while a traditional peeler works well for straight surfaces.

This is the knife set I have had for a year now and have been impressed with!

Once your squash is peeled, rinse it off. Then, cut the bulbous bottom in half and remove the seeds.

Now you’re ready for the hardest part of this entire process: cubing.

Butternut squash is a very tough squash to cut through, so I like to half it a few times to make it easier. Cut the squash into 1 inch cubes and place in a large bowl.

The toughest part is over! Now add in all remaining ingredients, except the goat cheese.

I like to use these herb scissors to finely chop herbs. The 5 bladed scissor makes it super simple and quick!

Then, stir well to combine.

Roasting

Place your squash on a large baking pan layered with parchment paper.

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd your pan. Each cube needs some room to breathe so that it cooks properly and can crisp up on the outside.

Butternut squash on roasting pan. — Overcrowded.

For one large squash, you’ll want to use at least a 20×14 pan.

In a preheated oven, roast your squash at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point. Your squash should be fork tender before moving on to the next step.

Finally, to help get the outside crispy, turn your broiler to high and broil for 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid over-browning. This also helps caramelize the squash lightly.

Remove the squash from the oven and place into a bowl. Top with goat cheese crumbles (and pecans if desired).

Serve warm.

This healthy Thanksgiving side will be a great addition to turkey and all the traditional fixings!

Healthy Butternut Squash Recipe

I hope you enjoy this simple recipe! At only 140 calories per serving, this is a great healthy side to serve with any dinner.

Roasted butternut squash with goat cheese.

You can use this printable recipe below! Also, make sure to Pin it for later.

Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash

Name: Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Dinner
Ingredients: 2 Tbs. Olive Oil; 1 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt; 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper; 2-3 springs Fresh Rosemary; 1/8 cup Honey; 2 oz. Goat Cheese Crumbles; 1 Large Butternut Squash

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
2-3 springs Fresh Rosemary
1/8 cup Honey
2 oz. Goat Cheese Crumbles
1 Large Butternut Squash

Instructions

Half, peel and remove seeds from the squash.
Cube squash into 1 inch cubes.
Mix cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary and honey.
Line extra large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, until fork tender.
Broil 2-3 minutes to help crisp the outside.
Remove from oven and let sit 3-4 minutes before placing into a bowl.
Top with goat cheese crumbles and serve warm.

Notes

Make sure not to overcrowd your baking sheet. Each cube should have space to breathe.

Here are a couple more additions that I’ve done in the past that amp up the flavor.

Add caramelized red onion slices for extra sweetness.
Top with pecans to enhance the nutty elements.
Swap the goat cheese for feta for a more robust flavor combination.
Include roasted garlic.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4-6 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140

More Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! This simple recipe is sure to become one of your family’s favorites. You can find more of my favorite recipes in my recipe archives {here}.

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Make sure to check out more delicious and healthy recipes to enjoy this Thanksgiving, and throughout the year!