Acorn squash is a beloved fall favorite with its sweet and nutty flavor. I'll show you the quickest and easiest way to cook acorn squash in the microwave so that you can enjoy this delicious and nutritious side dish any night of the week!
If you're looking for a fast way to cook acorn squash, then look no further! Microwave acorn squash is the quickest and easiest way to enjoy this nutritious and hearty winter squash.
When the weather cools down, I love roasting hearty vegetables to caramelized perfection in the oven. But I don't always have the luxury of time. So on busy weeknights, I often turn to my air fryer or microwave.
These kitchen appliances have become my secret weapons for preparing fall favorites like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and spaghetti squash in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven. I even make savory sliced acorn squash in the air fryer.
If you're in a rush but are craving the delicious, nutty flavor of acorn squash, then you're gonna love this microwave acorn squash. I'll show you how to microwave acorn squash to perfection in just a few steps, and share my best tips and favorite recipe ideas.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Dish:
- Super Fast: Microwave acorn squash is ready in minutes, making it the ultimate solution for busy weeknights.
- Nutritious: Acorn squash is rich in nutrients including fiber and vitamin C.
- Versatile: Customize it with brown sugar, maple syrup, or savory seasonings.
- Side Dish or Main Dish: Pair it with your favorite main course, from roast chicken to salmon or stuff it and serve it as a main course.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Cook ahead and store for quick, nutritious meals throughout the week.
- Holiday Ready: Perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
Doctor's Tips:
- Acorn squash is not only delicious, it's also a nutritional powerhouse! It's rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Don't throw away the skin! The dark green skin of the squash is not only edible but also packed with nutrients.
Ingredients:
Ingredient notes and substitutions (see recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient list):
- Acorn squash- choose ripe acorn squash with firm, dark green skin, free from soft spots
- Water- adding a little water to the dish helps soften the acorn squash as it cooks
- Butter- I brush on a little butter for rich flavor
- Salt- a sprinkle of salt is all you need but you can add any herbs or spices that you like
- Optional toppings: add sweet or savory toppings to add even more flavor like brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, parmesan cheese, herbs and spices. Try my savory acorn squash which uses Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
How To Cook Acorn Squash In The Microwave Step-By-Step
Scroll down to recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Wash the squash thoroughly and dry it with a towel. Place the squash on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, carefully cut the acorn squash in half from the stem end to the base. To make it easier to cut the squash, you can heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes first to soften it. See "Chef's Tips" section below to learn how to do this.
- Step 2- Use a large spoon to remove the seeds and stringy pulp from the center of the squash halves.
- Step 3- Place the squash halves, cut side down, in a microwave-safe dish. Pour 2-3 tablespoons water into the dish. This helps soften the squash as it cooks. Microwave the acorn squash on high power for 8-9 minutes until tender and almost cooked through when poked with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your squash and the wattage of your microwave, so keep an eye on it.
- Step 4- Flip the squash over so that it's cut side up. Brush insides of the squash with melted butter and sprinkle with salt. If desired, sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, or any other toppings. Return the dish to the microwave and cook another 2-3 minutes until done. Carefully remove the squash from the microwave and check if the flesh is tender. If it's not fully cooked, you can microwave it for an additional minute or so.
Chef's Top Tips
- Acorn squash can be difficult to cut so you can microwave it for 2 minutes first to soften it. I do the same thing when roasting spaghetti squash. To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 2 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, cut it in half and proceed with the recipe.
- If you do soften the acorn squash in the microwave first, it will shorten the final cooking time.
- Store any leftover cooked acorn squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It's great for meal prep.
How To Serve Microwave Acorn Squash
Once the acorn squash is cooked, you can serve it so many different ways! Enjoy your microwaved acorn squash as a simple side dish or incorporate it into your favorite recipes. The tender flesh is a nice addition to salads, grain bowls , or as a main course. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Butter and Salt: Keep it simple and top it with just butter and salt.
- Buttery Brown Sugar Acorn Squash: Enhance the buttery flavor of acorn squash with a sprinkle of brown sugar.
- Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash: Drizzle your microwaved squash with maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon for a cozy fall side dish.
- Savory parmesan squash: Sprinkle Italian seasoning and freshly grated parmesan cheese for a savory twist; or try my savory air fryer acorn squash.
- Mashed acorn squash: Mash the flesh of the squash alone or combine it with mashed sweet potato for a nutritious and comforting side dish.
- Stuffed acorn squash: Stuff acorn squash halves with your favorite filling like my wild rice pilaf; it's an excellent addition to your holiday table!
Recipe FAQs
One cup of cooked acorn squash has 30 grams of carbohydrates per the USDA.
Choose an acorn squash that feels heavy for its size. It should have smooth, dark green skin without any soft spots or blemishes. Part of the skin The part of the squash that has been in contact with the ground should be a deep orange color.
A ripe acorn squash will feel heavy for its size and has smooth, dull green skin with no soft spots. Shiny skin may indicate that the squash has been picked before full maturity.
Acorn squash can last 1–2 months when stored whole and uncut in a cool, dark, dry area. Once cut or cooked, acorn squash can last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
More Tasty Dishes
YOUR PATH TO WELLNESS STARTS HERE!
Get my best healthy recipes and tips sent straight to your inbox!
Recipe
Microwave Acorn Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium acorn squash
- 1 teaspoon butter, melted (can use vegan butter to keep the recipe vegan)
- Pinch of salt
Optional toppings:
- brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, parmesan cheese, herbs and spices
Instructions
- Wash the squash thoroughly and dry it with a towel. Place the squash on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, carefully cut the acorn squash in half from the stem end to the base. To make it easier to cut the squash, you can heat it in the microwave first to soften it. To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 2 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, cut it in half.
- Use a large spoon to remove the seeds and stringy pulp from the center of the squash halves.
- Place the squash halves, cut side down, in a microwave-safe dish. Pour 2-3 tablespoons water into the dish. This helps soften the squash as it cooks. Microwave the acorn squash on high power for 8-9 minutes until tender and almost cooked through when poked with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your squash and the wattage of your microwave, so keep an eye on it.
- Flip the squash over so that it's cut side up. Brush insides of the squash with melted butter and sprinkle with salt. If desired, sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, spices, or any other toppings like brown sugar and cinnamon. Return the dish to the microwave and cook another 2-3 minutes until done. Carefully remove the squash from the microwave and check if the flesh is tender. If it's not fully cooked, you can microwave it for an additional minute or so.
- Serve acorn squash as is or use it to make different dishes like stuffed acorn squash or mashed acorn squash. See "How To Serve Microwave Acorn Squash" section of blog post for some ideas.
Notes
- Acorn squash can be difficult to cut so you can microwave it for 2 minutes first to soften it. To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 2 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, cut it in half and proceed with the recipe.
- If you do soften the acorn squash in the microwave first, it will shorten the final cooking time.
- Store any leftover cooked acorn squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Dee Smith says
Excellent recipe for microwave Acorn Squash. Thanks
Dr. Sonali Ruder says
So glad you liked it!
Sheila says
Easiest recipe ever
Dr. Sonali Ruder says
Yes, so easy!