Microwave Acorn Squash – Spend With Pennies

This simple squash recipe makes deliciously soft, buttery, and sweet microwave acorn squash in minutes!

Cook up a squash or two with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the perfect easy side dish!

Sweet & Savory Squash

• Acorn squash tastes great in the microwave even though cooks in a fraction of the time compared to the oven.
• One small acorn squash can equal two servings, a larger one can make up to 4 servings!
• Cook them sweet with brown sugar and butter or add your own savory seasonings.
• Make them as is or make them stuffed with your favorite fillings like ground sausage, brown rice, spinach, or dried cranberries for a festive entrée!

Ingredients and Variations

Acorn Squash: A whole acorn squash should be dark on the outside and feel heavy in your hands without any soft spots. Acorn squash can vary in size from 8oz to about 1 ½ lbs. This recipe uses a medium sized squash, about 1lb.

Seasonings: Keep it sweet like this recipe or make it savory with a DIY seasoning blend like lemon pepper and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

VARIATIONS

• A quick brush of maple syrup, honey, can be used in place of a sprinkle of sugar. Sugar substitutes will work just fine too.
• Add a dash of sriracha for a new flavor!
• Melted bacon grease really punches up the flavor for a savory acorn squash in place of butter.

How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Microwave

1. Cut squash in half vertically, scoop out the insides with a spoon & discard the seeds (or cook them like roast pumpkin seeds).
2. Place squash cut-side-down in a baking dish. Cook until just fork tender per the recipe below.
3. Flip the squash over and brush with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Microwave, a few minutes more.

Serve hot on its own or with some mushroom rice or oven-roasted vegetables.

Leftovers?

• Keep leftover microwave acorn squash in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the microwave or chop up and add to a stir fry, a casserole, or an omelet. Make a healthy wrap by adding lettuce greens for an energizing workday lunch!
• Freeze portions in zippered bags for up to 4 months. Thaw before using.

Sweet & Savory Squash

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Microwave Acorn Squash

Acorn squash with brown sugar, cinnamon, & butter, microwaved until perfectly tender.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

• Cut the squash in half vertically. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them.

• Place the squash in a baking dish, cut side down with 2 tablespoons water.

• Microwave the squash for 8-10 minutes or until tender and almost cooked through when poked with a fork.

• While the squash is cooking, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Flip the squash over and brush with the butter mixture. Microwave for 2 minutes more.

• Acorn squash can vary in size from 1/2 lb to 3 lbs, cooking time will vary.
• Microwaves can vary, and some squash will have thinner and thicker flesh. Check smaller squash at 5 minutes, larger squash may need as long as 10-12 minutes.
• If cooking two smaller squash (four halves) cooking time will increase to 9-10 minutes.
• Leftover squash can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
• Freeze cooled portions in a zippered bag for up to 4 months. Add to soups, stews, or casseroles. 

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Calories: 74 | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 483IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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