Name: Mashed Acorn Squash
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 32 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 acorn squash, (cooked however you prefer); ½ cup salted butter, (at room temperature); ¼ cup brown sugar, (more or less to taste); ½ tsp. cinnamon; ¼ tsp. nutmeg; Kosher salt, (to taste)

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This mashed acorn squash recipe is like buttery mashed potatoes lightened up cousin! Slightly nutty, decadently buttery, and just a touch sweet, this whipped acorn squash is a delightful side dish recipe that compliments anything from pork chops to roast chicken thighs.

A white bowl filled with mashed acorn squash that is topped with butter and cinnamon.

I like to cook the acorn squash in the microwave and mash it with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to get all those classic holiday flavors in one dish that's ready in just 35 minutes!

A white bowl filled with mashed acorn squash topped with butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon with more white bowls in the background.

If you love this mashed acorn squash recipe, be sure to check out my creamy acorn squash soup recipe and air fryer acorn squash slices!

Ingredients for this recipe

Acorn Squash – cooked however you prefer, I outline three methods below!
Butter
Kosher Salt
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

All the ingredients for mashed acorn squash are laid out on a white marble backdrop.

Making Mashed Acorn Squash

Cook the acorn squash. See below for the different methods I recommend!
Add butter, salt, brown sugar, and spices. We’re going for a slightly sweet mash variation.
Mash the squash. I like to use a handheld or stand mixer to get the squash really smooth and everything well-combined.
Serve and enjoy! With extra butter on top, of course!

A hand adds cinnamon to a bowl filled with cooked acorn squash, butter, and brown sugar. — Cook the squash and add butter, sugar, and spices.

Cook the squash and add butter, sugar, and spices.

How to Whip Acorn Squash

With a handheld or stand mixer – This is my preferred method as it is quick and easy and gets the mixture really smooth, but doesn’t totally puree it.

With a food processor – This will make more of an acorn squash puree than a mash. It will be super, duper smooth if you use a food processor.

By hand – You can totally mash the acorn squash by hand, if desired. That’s how I like to make mashed potatoes, because it’s going to offer the most control. The mashed squash will also be more “rustic” if done this way.

Hands hold a bowl filled with mashed acorn squash topped with butter.

Ways to Cook Acorn Squash for Recipes

Roasted in the oven – Roasting acorn squash in the oven will lead to a greater depth of flavor, but does take longer. After an hour in the oven the squash will have lovely golden brown and caramelized edges that will add another layer of flavor to the mash.

In the Instant Pot – Cooking acorn squash in an Instant Pot is a usable method for mashed acorn squash, but not my favorite. I like using cooking methods like roasting or microwaving that are going to add some fat to the squash during the cooking process, which means more flavor in the mash! This method takes about 20 minutes.

In the microwave – The quickest cooking method, making acorn squash in the microwave takes just 10 minutes! You’ll need to add a little butter to the squash halves before cooking, which will only help to make your mash more buttery and delectable!

A white bowl filled with mashed acorn squash topped with butter and sprinkle of cinnamon.

I prefer to microwave the squash for this recipe so that it only takes 35 minutes from start to finish! If you roast the squash or make it in an Instant Pot, it will take longer, but still be delicious.

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Mashed Acorn Squash

Slightly nutty, delightfully buttery, and just a touch sweet, this mashed acorn squash is a delightful side dish recipe that’s flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Prep Time3

Cook Time32

Total Time35

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: acorn squash recipe, mashed acorn squash, winter squash recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 194kcal

Author: Amanda Gajdosik

Equipment

handheld or stand mixer, optional

Ingredients

3 acorn squash, cooked however you prefer
½ cup salted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup brown sugar, more or less to taste
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

Cut, seed, and cook the acorn squash either by roasting it in the oven, microwaving it, or pressure cooking it in an instant pot. When cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh of the acorn squash and place in a large mixing bowl.
Add ½ cup salted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp. cinnamon, and ¼ tsp. nutmeg, and a generous pinch of kosher salt to the squash. Use a handheld mixer to combine and whip until squash is light and fluffy, about two minutes.
Taste, adjust seasoning, adding more sugar, spices, or salt to your preference, and serve warm with extra butter on top.

Notes

Refer to post for different squash cooking methods.
Squash can also be mashed by hand or pureed in a food processor for an incredibly whipped variation.

Nutrition

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