Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (2024)

(updated December 1, 2023) // by Phoebe Lapine // 23 comments

4.86 from 7 votes

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I have a love/hate relationship with butternut squash.

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (1)

I love eating it. But every time I perch one on my cutting board to peel, I think to myself: today will finally be the day when I call Charlie from the emergency room having just accidentally amputated a finger.

Not having to peel any gourds is just one of the reasons to love this cheesy, warm butternut squash dip. But it may be the biggest revelation.

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (2)
Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (3)
Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (4)

After taking on the ambitious task of adding butternut squash to my Thanksgiving stuffing last year, I pretty much thought my hands would never return to their pre-leprosy state. All the peeling left my paws looking as orange and opaque as the outside of a carrot. I considered myself in butternut squash retirement for the foreseeable future.

That was, until I realized I could just roast the whole damn thing.

Though I’m a longtime butternut squash soup lover, I somehow always took the scenic route (i.e. peeling, cubing, roasting) instead of just doing the cooking equivalent of Google Maps and taking the far more direct, painless, sensible path. This is very unlike me. In the kitchen, as on the road, I’m a much bigger fan of the easy way than what so and so’s grandmother has been doing for decades. So it’s crazy that I hadn’t adopted this halve-and-then-roast short cut of my butternut squash dip until now.

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (5)
Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (6)

Once you bake the squash for 45 minutes or so, until fork tender, you simply scoop out the flesh and stir it together with some garlic and herbs. Since it’s Super Bowl season and this dip is meant to be shared with your slightly more hedonistic friends, I mixed in a little Greek Yogurt and cheese. You can use mayo instead if you’re looking to cut down on the dairy. Similarly, you can omit the cheese. But the nutty gruyere and pistachio topping is well worth the potential lactose bloat, in my humble opinion.

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (7)

For more gluten-free dip ideas check out these fan favorites:

  • Smoked Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese
  • Green Goddess Dip
  • Gluten-Free Spinach Dip
  • Healthy French Onion Dip
  • Artichoke Hummus
  • Roasted Beet Hummus
  • Gluten-Free Hot Crab Dip
  • Sweet Potato Hummus

Wishing you all a happy game day, and hope that this easy butternut squash dip makes an appearance on your coffee table with the best gluten-free crackers! At least you won’t require a new pair of mittens to hide your hands afterwards.

With health and hedonism,

Phoebe

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (8)

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere and Pistachios

This butternut squash dip is a fantastic vegetarian, healthy appetizer option for a party (especially Super Bowl Sunday!) or a gluten-free snack for the whole family.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6

Author Phoebe Lapine

Ingredients

  • One 1-pound butternut squash
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 3 tablespoons full-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup finely shredded Gruyere
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 1/3 cup pistachios finely chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub with olive oil and salt and arrange cut side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes, or until a fork easily slides in and out of the non-hallow half.

  • When cool enough to touch, scoop out the squash flesh and reserve in a bowl. Stir in the garlic, yogurt, ¾ cup cheese, cayenne and parsley. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as necessary (you’ll probably need ½ teaspoon). Transfer to an oven safe ramekin or casserole and top with the remaining cheese and nuts.

  • Bake until the cheese is melted (be careful not to burn the nuts), about 10 minutes.

  • Serve immediately with gluten-free crackers.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (10)If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe – I’d love to see it!

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (11)

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Comments

  1. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (12)Pamela M. says

    I use an even easier way with butternut squash: I put the whole thing (not halved) into my slow cooker! for a few hours to soften it up. Then it is really easy to peel, de-seed and chop.
    If the squash is too big to fit, cut the bulbed end off, or cut it any which ways to get it to fit.
    FYI I do this for spaghetti squash too, and potatoes – just throw into the slow cooker to soften up until I figure out what to do next. This way of cooking may be too slap-dash for you, but it works for me, and I eat a lot of winter squash as a result 🙂

    Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (13)Sarah G says

      Pamela that is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing that tip, I never would have thought of it. I also love Kobocha squash and they are even harder to peel IMO – I’m going to try out this tip. Thanks!

      Reply

      • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (14)Phoebe Lapine says

        Report back Sarah!!

        Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (15)Phoebe Lapine says

      I am fascinated by this!! Will have to give it a try! Thank you so much for sharing Pamela. Genius!

      Reply

  2. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (16)Little Cooking Tips says

    Peeling the squash was always a reason we didn’t use it often. And you’re right; why not roast the whole damn thing and scoop it out?:) Gruyere is fantastic, but we also have a good piece of San Michalis cheese in the fridge, which is complex in flavors, that’ll be perfect for this!:) Can’t wait to try that one Phoebe!
    thank you so much!
    xoxoxo

    Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (17)Phoebe Lapine says

      ooo will have to see if they have that cheese in the states! xoxox

      Reply

  3. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (18)Beth says

    I try to eat local, and our CSA provided us with freshly frozen (peeled!) butternut squash. It is about one pound. Is there a way to make this recipe work with frozen squash or would the texture/consistency be off?

    Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (19)Phoebe Lapine says

      what a dream!! yes – I would roast it at 350/375 until soft. You don’t necessarily want to caramelize it – just want it to be soft and smashable. let me know how it goes!

      Reply

  4. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (20)Diane C says

    Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (21)
    Made this for a holiday party. Prepared the recipe up to the last part of step 3 in advance, then topped with cheese and pistachios and threw in the oven just before guests arrived. I really liked it as an alternative to a greasy artichoke dip or something. Will make again.

    Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (22)Phoebe Lapine says

      yay thanks Diane!

      Reply

  5. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (23)Kathleen Rivers says

    I want to try this!! What kind of crackers have you found to be compliant with the SIBO Specific Diet? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (24)Phoebe Lapine says

      Butternut squash is only FODMAP friendly in 1/4 cup quantities FYI. I’m not sure about the crackers, they would have to be paleo, I believe.

      Reply

  6. Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (25)Becky says

    Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (26)
    This will be a go to recipe for me in the fall. It was excellent!

    Reply

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere | Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Is butternut squash good for cholesterol? ›

A cup of butternut squash cubes clocks in at about 7 grams of fiber—making a sizable contribution toward the 25 to 30 grams you need per day. “Fiber has many positive health effects, including limiting weight gain, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing risk of type 2 diabetes,” Willett says.

What does butternut squash taste like? ›

Sweet, moist and nutty tasting, the flavor of butternut squash is a bit like sweet potatoes—or, some say, butterscotch. Because it's so dense, you get more servings per fruit than you might with other squash varieties. The rind is edible (once cooked), but it's more commonly peeled away.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Why does my butternut squash taste bland? ›

If it's underripe, the squash won't have developed its signature taste. If it's overripe, it may be dry, mushy or flavorless. Follow these tips the next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market to find the perfect recipe-ready butternut squash.

What tastes better butternut or buttercup squash? ›

Although it looks quite different from the butternut squash the buttercup has a very creamy, orange colored flesh much like that of the butternut. Its flavor is not as rich as the butternut, but is still quite sweet.

What are the side effects of butternut squash? ›

When taken by mouth: Butternut is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use butternut in large amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It might stimulate the bowels too much.

Does butternut squash spike blood sugar? ›

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

Why is butternut squash so expensive? ›

It's supply and demand!" Hard squash used to be a seasonal commodity until imports from Central America commenced and allowed for year-round supply. Currently, Acorn, Spaghetti and Butternut squash are being packed in a broad area stretching from the southeast to the Midwest United States.

Is Sweet Potato or butternut squash healthier? ›

To begin with, the butternut squash beats the sweet potato with fewer calories, carbs and sugar per serving. Moreover, it is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and E. On the other hand, the sweet potato, however, provides more fiber and protein.

Is butternut squash very healthy? ›

Butternut squash offers nutritional values like vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Health benefits of this winter squash include managing high blood pressure, preventing asthma, and promoting healthy skin and hair. Contrary to the name, winter squash is grown in the summer and harvested in the fall.

Is butternut squash actually good for you? ›

Butternut squash is an abundant source of powerful antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Antioxidants help prevent or slow cellular damage and reduce inflammation, which may reduce your risk of several chronic diseases.

What is the cooking method for butternut squash? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Place the squash on a sheet pan and drizzle with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the squash is tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

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