Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon And Sage

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This Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon And Sage is an easy side dish recipe that you won’t be able to live without! Fantastic fall flavors!

Butternut Squash with Bacon on a white plate

Butternut Squash And Bacon

When it comes to fall, many of us are looking for the best butternut squash recipes. If that’s the position you’re finding yourself in, you have to try my Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon and Sage. 

Whether you are someone who cooks often or someone who has been charged with cooking something for the holidays, this butternut squash side dish is going to be perfect. 

While you may be familiar with butternut squash soup, you don’t see a lot of cubed squash dishes around. And I don’t know why! With its subtle sweetness, butternut squash is a great flavor that will go with almost any main dish. 

This great recipe is paleo, egg-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so it should fit various dietary styles. Butternut squash is higher in carbs than other squash, so while it isn’t strictly keto-friendly, you may have a few people on the keto diet who will want to taste it anyway. What happens during the holidays stays during the holidays! 

Whether you’re making this as a Thanksgiving side dish or as a simple side during squash season, this is one that the whole family will love. With ingredients that you can find at most grocery stores in the fall, after making this for dinner, you’ll end up eating the leftovers for breakfast the next day!

Recipe Notes: 

  • If you’d prefer not to use parchment paper, spray your baking sheet thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. 
  • If you believe that your squash pieces have been cut larger than 1-inch, they may need an extra 3-4 minutes in the oven. 

A closeup of Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon on a white plate

How To Make Butternut Squash With Bacon Recipe

Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon And Sage Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, medium size
4-5 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
2 1/2 tablespoons sage, fresh, chopped finely
1 tablespoon coconut or avocado oil (vegetable or olive oil can be used as well)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Kosher salt and black pepper (as desired)

Supplies Needed:

Sheet tray
Parchment paper
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Kitchen spoon
Large bowl
Large skillet 
Paper towels
Turner spatula

Butternut Squash with the ends cut off next to a green knife

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Also, take out a cutting board, a sharp knife, and your whole squash. 

Scooping seeds out of a butternut squash with a spoonStep 2: Carefully cut off the top and bottom of the sweet butternut squash.

Next, cut it open lengthwise. To make cutting the squash up easier, slice each side again, but widthwise (in half). 

Step 3: Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and strands from the inside of the squash.

Continue to peel the outside of the squash with the same knife. You might want to cut the wedges of butternut squash into smaller chunks to make this easier. 

Coconut oil being poured into a bowl with butternut squash cubes in itStep 4: Once it is peeled, cut the squash into 1” cubes and place them into a large bowl.

Bacon and sage chopped in piles on a cutting boardStep 5: Cook your bacon over medium-high heat in a large skillet.

Butternut squash cubes in a bowlStep 6: While the bacon cooks, drizzle the coconut oil over the squash. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 7: Once cooked, allow the bacon strips to sit on a paper towel to drain some of the grease for a couple of minutes. Chop and crumble your bacon into small pieces.

Step 8: Set the bacon aside in a small bowl and use the same cutting board to finely chop your fresh sage leaves.  

Step 9: Sprinkle the finely chopped sage over the top of the squash cubes.

Mix the whole thing to distribute the seasonings and fresh herbs. This might be easiest with a slotted spoon so that nothing gets bunched together. 

Butternut squash in cubes on a baking sheetStep 10: Empty the squash mixture onto a large baking sheet, in a single layer.

Roast it in the preheated oven for 25 – 30 minutes or until the cubed butternut squash pieces are fork-tender and have developed some color. You’ll want to flip the cubes at the 15-minute mark. 

Butternut squash with bacon on a white platterStep 11: Remove the squash from the oven and place the cubes on a serving platter or bowl. 

Butternut squash with bacon on a white platterStep 12: After placing your squash on its serving dish, sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces over the top. Serve hot and enjoy! 

How To Store Leftover Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon And Sage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Can I Use Bacon Grease Instead Of Oil?

Yes! If you choose, you can substitute the oil with a few tablespoons of bacon fat. Be careful not to drain the bacon drippings from the pan after cooking and use them instead. This would add a little bit of extra flavor to the squash. 

What Kind Of Bacon Should I Use In This Butternut Squash Recipe?

You can use whatever bacon you prefer. The recipe in the pictures was made with regular-cut bacon, but you can use thick cut bacon, turkey bacon, or even veggie bacon if you want to keep the smoky flavor. 

Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon on a white serving platter on a blue tablecloth

Is There Anything Else I Can Add To These Savory And Sweet Flavors?

I don’t think this dish needs any additions, but there are a few things you could add if you are drawn to them.

Cooked red onion pieces could add a slight spice to the dish, or if you want it quite a bit spicier, you could add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

You could also add some shredded or grated parmesan cheese to the top or some pine nuts to add crunch. Other than those ideas, I wouldn’t mess with this flavor profile. 

Are You Looking For More Delicious Side Dishes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil 1 L, Non-GMO, for High-Heat Cooking, Frying, Baking, Homemade Sauces, Dressings and MarinadesChosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil 1 L, Non-GMO, for High-Heat Cooking, Frying, Baking, Homemade Sauces, Dressings and MarinadesChosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil 1 L, Non-GMO, for High-Heat Cooking, Frying, Baking, Homemade Sauces, Dressings and Marinades365 Everyday Value, Organic Coconut Oil, 14 fl oz365 Everyday Value, Organic Coconut Oil, 14 fl oz365 Everyday Value, Organic Coconut Oil, 14 fl ozGood Cook Set Of 3 Non-Stick Cookie SheetGood Cook Set Of 3 Non-Stick Cookie SheetGood Cook Set Of 3 Non-Stick Cookie SheetSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce ContainerSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce ContainerSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce ContainerEatNeat 12-Piece Colored Sharp Knife Set: 5 Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives with Covers, Cutting Board and SharpenerEatNeat 12-Piece Colored Sharp Knife Set: 5 Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives with Covers, Cutting Board and SharpenerEatNeat 12-Piece Colored Sharp Knife Set: 5 Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives with Covers, Cutting Board and SharpenerPorcelain Serving Platter Rectangular Plate/Tray for Party, 14-Inch Large White Microwave And Dishwasher Safe Set of 4Porcelain Serving Platter Rectangular Plate/Tray for Party, 14-Inch Large White Microwave And Dishwasher Safe Set of 4Porcelain Serving Platter Rectangular Plate/Tray for Party, 14-Inch Large White Microwave And Dishwasher Safe Set of 4

Yield: About 5 cups

Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon

Butternut squash with bacon on a white platter

This Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon And Sage is an easy side dish recipe that you won't be able to live without! Fantastic fall flavors!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash, medium sized
  • 4-5 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp sage, fresh, chopped finely
  • 1 Tbsp coconut or avocado oil (vegetable oil can be used as well)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper (as desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and take out a baking sheet. Also, take out a cutting board and a sharp knife. 
  2. Carefully cut off the top and bottom of the squash. Next, cut it open lengthwise. To make cutting the squash up easier, slice each side again, but widthwise (in half). 
  3. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and strands from the inside of the squash. Continue to peel the outside of the squash with the same knife. You might want to cut the squash into smaller chunks to make this easier. 
  4. Once it is peeled, cut the squash into 1” cubes and place them into a medium sized bowl.
  5. Making sure that your bacon is already cooked, chop up and crumble your bacon, followed by finely chopping your sage. 
  6. Drizzle the coconut oil over the squash. Season with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder as well. Sprinkle the finely chopped sage over top. Mix the squash cubes to distribute the seasoning.
  7. Empty the squash onto a lined baking sheet, in a single layer. Roast it in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender and has developed some color on the cubes. You’ll want to flip the cubes at the 15-minute mark. 
  8. Remove the squash from the oven and place the cubes on a serving platter or bowl. 
  9. After placing your squash on its serving dish, sprinkle the bacon pieces over the top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

If you choose, you can substitute the oil with bacon fat from cooking the bacon. That would add a little extra flavor to the squash!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 87Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 215mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
Roasted butternut squash with bacon on a white plate and a picture of butternut squash cubes in a bowl

Two pictures of Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon And Sage

 

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