When I’m trying to come up with a delicious and original side dish recipe, I like to think of what the other dishes of the meal don’t have. I’ve experimented with dishes like zesty and green lemon garlic asparagus as well as more classic options like roasted root vegetables. Both are some of my favorite side dishes to make, as they pair well with proteins and beyond.
But one vegetable I’ve really been investing more time in lately is butternut squash. Baked butternut squash isn’t quite like anything else – It’s a little sweet, a little nutty and wonderfully earthy. The combination of these flavors makes it a surprising but perfect choice as a side dish for many main courses and proteins, like chicken or fish, for example. The squash at Eckert’s is always fresh and delicious, so I love using it when serving meals to guests.
Baked Squash with Parmesan: Simple and Delicious
One squash-based side dish I’ve been a fan of lately is very simple, making it the perfect choice for more complicated meals; it’s great for Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas, when you might be cooking many different things at the same time and need something fast and simple that complements your other flavors while still being very tasty on its own.
By adding just a little bit of olive oil, seasoning and parmesan cheese to slices of fresh butternut squash, you can have a savory, earthy side dish that’s great for just about any occasion. I love using fresh parmesan and fresh squash for this. That way, when I put them in the oven together, they still retain their respective flavors. You’ll love how easy this is to cook and how delicious it comes out afterwards.
Eat well!
Ingredients
- 3 large butternut squash, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Spread the olive oil across the foil, taking care to grease the pan thoroughly. Using a paper towel to spread the olive oil simplifies this task.
- Prepare your squash if not done already. Slice the squash into thin, circular pieces. Add the squash to the baking tray and spread them around to coat them in the olive oil.
- Arrange the sliced squash on the prepared, greased baking tray so that they are ideally in a single layer. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the parmesan on each slice of squash – about one teaspoon on each slice depending on the size, or to preference.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until parmesan is golden brown.
- Remove and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy!
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