Our parmesan roasted delicata squash recipe is buttery, nutty, and sweet. It’s easy enough for any night of the week!
We roast our squash slices with melted butter, parmesan cheese, and garlic. Since we roast the squash slices on top of the cheese and garlic, they melt down to create a lovely, cheesy crust on the bottom of each slice. They look beautiful and taste amazing!
We served this to a good friend who isn’t the biggest winter squash fan, and she loved it! For more of our favorite roasted squash recipes, see our cinnamon roasted butternut squash or this roasted acorn squash with cranberries.
Key Ingredients
- Delicata Squash: I use one medium squash. This is my absolute favorite winter squash because it’s incredibly easy to prepare. You don’t even need to peel the skin (it’s thin enough to eat). Delicata has a nutty, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor that reminds me of a cross between butternut squash and sweet potato.
- Butter: You can use either butter or olive oil for this recipe, but I prefer butter as it really enhances the squash’s natural buttery flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: This adds a cheesy crust to the roasted squash. For the best flavor, I love to use finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Garlic: I love the subtle hint of garlic in this recipe. I only use two cloves, so it’s not overpowering and it develops a sweet flavor when roasted in the oven with the squash.
Find the full recipe with measurements below.
Tips for Making the Best Roasted Delicata Squash
Tip 1: No need to peel. This recipe couldn’t be easier. Slice the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. There’s no need to peel the squash. The skin is really tasty and has a great texture.
Tip 2: Roast with butter. Then, you’ll add some garlic butter and parmesan to a baking dish and line the squash slices on top. Finish by brushing over more garlic butter and sprinkling parmesan cheese. Then bake until golden brown and tender. So good!
The recipe takes 20 to 30 minutes in the oven, so this is quick, too. I love it for a weeknight side, it’s actually one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes!
Parmesan Roasted Delicata Squash
- PREP
- COOK
- TOTAL
Roasted delicata squash is buttery, nutty, and sweet. We love this recipe with garlic and parmesan. It’s easy enough for tonight and works beautifully as a holiday side. There is no need to peel the squash. The peel is thin and is delicious once roasted.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
1 medium delicata squash, about 1 ¼ pounds
2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 small cloves
3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1 ½ ounces grated parmesan cheese, about ⅓ cup
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
1Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Set a 13×9-inch baking dish aside. You can also use a rimmed baking sheet.
2Cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Cut each squash half into ¾-inch-thick slices.
3In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and garlic.
4Spread half of the melted butter and the garlic over the bottom of the baking dish. Then, sprinkle all but 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese on top.
5Arrange squash slices on top of the cheese. Drizzle the remaining butter mixture over the squash and use your fingers to spread it over each piece. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6Roast the squash for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and tender. You might need to rotate the dish in the oven once during roasting to prevent the back bits of garlic from over-browning. If some cheese stays on the dish, it is easy to scrape up and serve sprinkled on top.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Vegetarian substitutions: Use a vegetarian-friendly cheese like cheddar instead of the parmesan.
- Vegan substitutions: Use olive oil or a vegan butter and substitute the parmesan cheese with 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, vegan cheese, or leave the “cheese” out completely.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
I received two delicatas in my CSA and made them both with this recipe. Absolutely fantastic! We almost finished all the squash in one night. All three kids took seconds. This is my new favorite recipe for delicata squash!!
That’s amazing, Laura! Thanks for sharing!
I made this last night, it was delicious!
I made this almost exactly as written, except I didn’t measure the cheese so I suspect I used a good deal more than 1/3 cup. Delicious.
This was great, I will definitly make this again. I used olive oil instead of butter and I tossed the squash with all of the ingredients in a bowl, to cover all sides of the squash and baked on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
Because I love cheese, I sprinkled a bit more on top of the slices before putting it into the oven. It only took 20mins to bake.
SO sO So good! Tweaked the recipe, had 3 squash to use. Added way more garlic ( cause you can never have enough), used a garlic press and just smashed it right into the melted butter. Also used an OBSCENE amount of fresh grated parm ( an entire 5oz container). Tossed some paprika on after it finished baking. It probably would have been just as delicious, if I followed the directions. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it was fantastic, easy ,and I will definitely be making again, perhaps with different types of squash or veggies.
You are so welcome! We are so happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
This was really good! I was given some delicata squash and didn’t know what to do with it, but I found this recipe. Made for dinner tonight and it was a hit. Thanks for the recipe!
This was incredible. I couldn’t stop eating it! Used a mixture of olive oil and butter and my garlic was from a jar. 10 out of 10 for sure! I had to tell everyone I know to check out your site for this! Thank you!
This was the first time cooking delicata squash and I don’t know if there could have been a better recipe to experience the sweetness, texture and flavor. The crispness of the parmesan cheese was the perfect offset to the softness of the squash. We will definitely be making this again.
This recipe is extremely simple and extremely tasty. For those two reasons, it could certainly make a great festive side dish, as you suggest. I also (as did Keeley) used half butter and half extra virgin olive oil. I keep a jar of chopped garlic in my fridge, so there was no work to that part of the recipe. I probably used more than 1/3 cup parmesan, as I didn’t measure, but just grated it right into the baking dish and on top of the squash. Now I’m wondering what else one could do, such as use different vegetables. Do you think carrots, parsnips, a different squash or red sweet potatos would work? Would any other cheese work, such as the grated Tex Mex I have in my freezer? (I do note you recommend cheddar.)
Hi Linda, So happy you enjoyed it. Yes, other veggies like carrots or potatoes would work well in this recipe. Other cheeses, too! Anything you can grate should do the trick.
This was so delicious and easy! This is something I will make over and over. Thank you for such a yummy recipe.
I melted the butter and put in the garlic briefly under heat. Half of the mixture on the bottom of baking dish the other half on the side to dip sliced squash in. Dipped squash goes into the parmesian on both sides then into the baking dish. Any extra parmesian I sprinkle where needed. Tasted wonderful and basically your recipe.
Delicata squash is one of my very favorite recipes, and I usually bake it pretty plain with coconut oil only. I just made this recipe and it might not last until dinner time. It is soooo good and I give it 6 out of 5 stars. I did half butter, half olive oil and baked for about 28 minutes. Thank you for upping my delicata game!
Someone gave me a couple delicata squash, and I didn’t know what to do with them, until I found your recipe. What a fantastic way to prepare this variety of squash! I will be making this again.
easy to make, I used garlic powder and mixed half butter/EVOO. Really good!
This recipe is amazing! Super easy and super yummy. I had to buy more squash just so I can make it again while the delicatas are available! Love it!
Oh, my gosh, this recipe was so delicious!! We loved the richness of the parmesan paired with the garlic and olive oil. It sounds so simple, but let me warn you…..this recipe hits your taste buds with lots of flavor.
That was the most delicous squash I have ever eaten. I too added chili flakes Thank you for the fantastic recipe~
Wow, such kind words! So happy you gave our recipe a try and thank you for coming back.
I have never had a better roasted squash dish. This was AMAZING. I used confit garlic and garlic oil for this. The whole thing was infused with garlic and the parmesan was next level. I wilted and dressed some kale with more of the garlic oil and balsamic vinegar and then topped that with the squash, pepitas, and the leftover crunchy bits from the pan. Stellar recipe.
Love that idea! Next time we make this we are going to try your version 🙂
Just made it.Easy and delicious My husband and I ate it all. 😋
I’m about to make, with salmon! I am gonna use half ghee and half olive oil. Ghee should keep it from burning
I’ve never had such a perfect, delicious result from following a random recipe on line. Thank you!
This was delicious! I ate almost the entire squash. Will definitely make again
We are so glad that you loved it! 🙂
I’m not a squash fan and never tried Delicata before but I absolutely loved this recipe! My new favorite! Thank you!
Yay! We are thrilled that you love the recipe 🙂
SO good
So glad you loved it 🙂
Thank you. The beautiful pictures of glazed delicata was what prompted me to try this recipe. The flavors far exceeded the promise of the picture. The words gourmet, outstanding, truly delicious and thank you were heard at the dinner table tonight. It was our first time trying delicata, thanks for making it such a good experience.
Had to comment because this recipe is PHENOMENAL. My husband and I served it alongside crab cakes. It is the best squash dish we’ve ever cooked. Felt like a fine dining preparation for squash.
Absolutely phenomenal recipe! Made it with butter versus olive oil. The mixture of butter garlic and Parmesan on bottom of parchment lined panGot beautifully crispy. I did turn the oven down to 400 the last five minutes as with the butter it was getting dark. Inspired taste is true to its name! 6stars!
Wow, 6 stars! We are thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe so much.
We loved this recipe. We had never eaten Delicata before. I did add a little chili flakes which were delicious.
I love how you add a vegan option for us plant based people! I have made your black bean burger recipe and have consistently used it over all the other ones I’ve tried. Simple, easy & delicious! Thank you. PS : love the new kitchen !
5 stars. Absolutely delicious. Very easy to make. My husband and brother liked the squash very much.
Hi Karen, We are thrilled that you all enjoyed the squash. We were surprised with how delicious is was when we first made it, too. Thanks for your feedback!