Roasted Butternut Squash gets a flavorful upgrade with creamy ricotta and spiced Mexican-style pork. It's a vibrant dish that looks restaurant-worthy, but comes together with only 4 simple ingredients! It's smoky in taste, smooth in texture, and high in flavor without the heaviness.
If there is one vegetable that deserves more love in home kitchens, it's butternut squash. It is sweet, hearty, and endlessly adaptable. Here I will show you two ways to cook the squash. Both methods bring out a different layer of flavor, proving that squash truly is one of the easiest vegetables to work with.
Grilling vs Roasting
Why Grill Butternut Squash
- Grilling adds smokiness and char, giving the squash a completely different personality.
- Adds a smoky, slightly bitter edge that contrasts with the sweetness
- Makes the dish outdoor-friendly for warmer months
- Cooks quickly over high heat
Why Roast Butternut Squash
- Roasting happens in a hot oven and is all about caramelization and deep flavor
- Creates a golden, slightly creamy interior
- Cooks evenly with very little attention
Jump to:
Health Benefits of Butternut Squash
Butternut squash isn't just delicious, it is incredibly nutritious. Its natural sweetness and creamy texture make it feel indulgent.
- Rich in Vitamins A &C - both are important for immune support and healthy skin
- High in Fiber - They are great for digestion and support gut health
- Low in Fat and Calories - Despite how creamy it is, butternut squash is naturally low in fat and relatively low in calories.
- Packed with Antioxidants - Helps to reduce inflammation and supports long-term health
Ingredients
Ingredients you'll need for Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash - the star of the show
- Ricotta Cheese - cool and creamy
- Ground Pork - Savory, hearty, and seasoning's best friend
- Taco Seasoning - Provides instant, smoky flavor. Try our taco seasoning for extra flavor!
- Cilantro - Optional, but it does add a fresh pop that brightens everything up.
Pro Tip: Choose a heavier squash - heavier equals sweeter and more flavorful.
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to make Roasted Butternut Squash
Everything you need to know is found in these easy-to-follow steps. Once the squash is prepped and cleaned, you bake and top with cooked ground meat and creamy ricotta cheese. It's that simple!
Steps for Butternut Squash
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice the butternut squash in half long ways and clean out the seed cavity with a spoon. Spray the inside with avocado oil (or oil of your choice).
- Place the squash face down on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cook for 1 hour. Cook time may vary on the size of your squash.
Pro Tip: Line your dish with parchment paper before roasting the squash, less mess, easy cleanup, and no sticking.
Steps to Finish the Dish
- When the squash is almost done, heat up a skillet on medium heat. Cook ground meat for 3 minutes and then season with taco seasoning. Cook until brown and fully cooked through. Strain access grease if needed.
- Spread ricotta cheese (about a ¼ cup) over the cooked butternut squash. Top with meat and chopped cilantro and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Season boldly, taco seasoning blooms best when toasted with the meat.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Equipment and Supplies
This recipe is easy to make with just the right tools!
- Silicone Spatulas - I love these KitchenAid spatulas.
- Wooden Spoons - a classic for a reason! Wooden spoons are sturdy, gentle on cookware, and ideal for breaking up meat as it browns.
- Misen Cookware - I love these skillets, and you can get a discount using this link!
- Flint and Flame Knives - These are my go-to knives for prep!
- Taco Seasoning - For this, I used "Fiesta That" from Flat Top King.
- Good Life Proteins - high-quality and great-tasting protein is a game-changer. Good life Proteins deliver clean, delicious options that cook beautifully!
Serving Ideas
Different Ways to Serve Roasted Butternut Squash
- Classic Serving
- As a Main Dish - Spoon the creamy ricotta on top, pile on the seasoned meat, and enjoy! Simple, hearty, and satisfying.
- Over Greens - Serve the warm squash mixture over arugula or spinach for a balanced, veggie-forward bowl.
- Fun and Creative Serving Ideas
- Squash "Tacos" - scoop roasted squash into warm tortillas, then add ricotta, pork, and finish with lime and cilantro.
- Pasta Toss - Stir roasted squash and ricotta into warm pasta, then spoon the seasoned pork on top.
- Breakfast Bowl - Top leftovers with a fried egg for a protein-packed morning meal.
Substitutions
Possible ingredient Swaps
- The Squash - you can use acorn squash, sweet potatoes, or even roasted carrots for a similar sweet vibe.
- Ricotta - Cottage cheese (blended for smoothness), mascarpone, or Greek yogurt.
- Ground Pork - Swap for ground turkey, chicken, beef, or plant-based crumbles. They all work with taco seasoning.
- Cilantro - swap for parsley, green onions, or even a sprinkle of lime zest for freshness.
How to make this Recipe diet-specific
- Weight-Loss Friendly
- Use extra lean ground turkey or chicken
- Swap ricotta for Greek Yogurt
- Roast squash with minimal oil; 1-2 teaspoons goes a long way.
- Add extra greens to increase volume without calories.
- Gluten-Free
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free
- Just make sure that your taco seasoning is certified GF. Our taco seasoning meets that requirement.
- Vegetarian
- Swap ground meat for plant-based crumbles, lentils, black beans, or mushrooms sauteed with taco seasoning.
- Add toasted pepitas for extra crunch and protein.
- Dairy Free
- Replace ricotta with Dairy-Free ricotta or a Cashew cream
- Lower Carb/ Lower sugar
- Butternut squash naturally contains carbs, but you can serve a smaller portion over a bed of greens.
- Mix in some roasted zucchini or cauliflower to reduce total carbs.
- Use a higher protein ricotta or Greek yogurt for balance.
More Healthy Recipes
Here are some more low-calorie and low-carb recipes that we love!
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerator:
- Store roasted squash, ricotta, and cooked ground pork separately in airtight containers.
- This will keep well for 3-4 days
Freezing:
- You can freeze the ground pork for up to 3 months.
- Freeze the roasted squash for up to two months; the texture will get soft, but it will still work great for bowls or mashed squash.
- Do not freeze the ricotta; it becomes grainy once thawed.
Reheating:
- Oven - warm the squash at 350° F for 10-12 minutes until heated.
- Microwave - Heat in 30-45 second intervals.
- Skillet - a medium heat works best to heat the pork back to a sizzle.
Video of Recipe
Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash (with Ricotta and Mexican Pork)
Equipment
- Oven
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Large Butternut Squash
- 1 Cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 lb Ground Meat turkey, beef or pork
- 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice the butternut squash in half long ways and clean out the seed cavity with a spoon. Spray the inside with avocado oil (or oil of your choice).
- Place the squash face down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook for 1 hour or until soft.
- When the squash is almost done, heat up a skillet on medium heat. Cook ground meat for 3 minutes and then season with taco seasoning. Cook until brown and fully cooked through. Strain access grease if needed.
- Spread ricotta cheese (about a ¼ cup) over the cooked butternut squash. Top with meat and chopped cilantro and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the taco seasoning that you use. Most blends are mild to medium. Feel free to add chili flakes or jalapeño for extra heat.
Most major grocery stores will carry ground pork. I have had to ask my butcher if they do not have any out for sale.
Not quite. Ground pork is unseasoned, while sausage is seasoned and sometimes contains additional fillers. Make sure to buy plain ground pork.
Butternut squash is harvested in the fall, but thanks to its long shelf life, you can usually find high-quality squash year-round. Peak flavor is from late September through November.
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