Roasted acorn squash topped with ricotta and pomegranate seeds is about to be your new fav fall side dish! 

If you’ve never roasted acorn squash before – you’re in for a treat! Squash is one of those vegetables that doesn’t require much work. Just roast it off and the natural flavors shine. It’s important to let squash really caramelize when roasting so those crispy bits bring out all the flavor.

Acorn squash can take on any number of flavor profiles – but for this one I went with a sweet topping of honey, nutmeg, ricotta and pomegranate seeds. It’s equal parts delicious and gorgeous!

When you’re roasting acorn squash, all you have to do it cut it into quarters, scoop out the seeds, place it onto a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and roast! It couldn’t be easier!

And to answer your question off the bat – can you eat the skin of an acorn squash – you sure can!! I do it all the time. And it’s actually one of the reasons I love cooking with acorn squash so much! No peeling needed! How’s that for a time saving tip!

Ingredients

    • 2 whole acorn squash cleaned and quartered
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
    • 8-10 ounces fresh ricotta (or buratta)
    • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
    • Honey to drizzle
    • freshly grated nutmeg
    • Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
    • Drizzle the squash with olive oil and arrange on a large roasting pan
    • Transfer the baking sheet into the oven and roast for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until the squash is fork tender.

How to cook acorn squash:

  • Step 1: Wash the entire acorn squash and trim the ends off with a sharp knife
  • Step 2: Carefully cut the squash in half from top to bottom.
  • Step 3: Using a spoon, scoop out the insides of the squash and discard.
  • Step 4: Slice each half into 2-3 pieces and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Step 5: Drizzle the squash with olive oil, salt and pepper. Transfer into a 425 degree oven and roast.
  • Step 6: Halfway through roasting, take the sheet pan out of the oven and flip the squash to make sure they are cooking evenly.
  • Step 7: Remove the squash once they are fork tender and garnish with whatever you want and serve!

Pretty easy right? And while these Acorn Squash quarters are roasted to perfection and loaded up with some ricotta cheese, you could also swap out the ricotta for burrata! Or skip the cheese and drizzle with some extra herb infused melted butter! What more could you ask for in a simple side dish!? It’s one of those things that you’ll make once, and then again and again and again and again