I get so excited about Thanksgiving sides I could honestly skip the turkey and just park myself next to the squash. This roundup is my little love letter to all things golden, roasted, cheesy, and cozy. I pulled together 20 of my favorite Thanksgiving squash recipes so you can find your new holiday hero, whether that is a silky soup or a crispy-edged casserole.

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries

This warm salad is fall on a plate and I am completely obsessed with it. You get tender roasted squash and crispy brussels sprouts tossed with crunchy pecans and sweet cranberries. It is one of those healthy dishes that still feels totally special and party-ready. Even the veggie skeptics at your table might change their tune after one bite.

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2. Roasted Acorn Squash

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones I crave the most. This roasted acorn squash keeps things easy with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a glossy brush of maple syrup. After that, your oven does all the heavy lifting while you handle the rest of dinner. The result is tender, lightly caramelized, and just sweet enough.

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3. Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Time to bring a little meat to the squash party. Chicken sausage and tender roasted acorn squash are a total match made in comfort food heaven. It is hearty and satisfying without leaving you feeling weighed down afterward. Each stuffed half is like its own little cozy dinner in a bowl.

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4. Roasted Patty Pan Squash with Parmesan

Patty pan squash deserves way more attention than it gets. This recipe lets those cute little squash really be the star with just a little oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and leaves the edges beautifully golden. If you have never tried them, this is the perfect place to start.

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5. Mashed Butternut Squash

Potatoes do not get to have all the fun. Butternut squash mashes up into something so silky and good you will wonder why you waited so long to try it. A little butter and a touch of sweetness turns it into the ultimate cozy side dish. It is simple, homemade, and goes with basically everything on the holiday table.

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6. Potato, Squash, and Goat Cheese Gratin

You know that cheesy, bubbling potato gratin situation I am talking about. This version keeps all that richness but adds tender squash and tangy goat cheese to make it feel extra special. It is a little bit fancy but still shockingly simple to pull together. Your holiday table just got an upgrade.

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7. Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

The meatless version of stuffed acorn squash is genuinely so good it deserves a moment of applause. These roasted squash halves get packed with quinoa, fresh herbs, alliums, and melty cheese. It works beautifully as a main dish or as a standout side on a crowded holiday spread. Every bite is savory, cozy, and so satisfying.

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8. Southern Squash Casserole

Grab your comfiest pants because this casserole brings all the cheesy, gooey goodness and then some. It is packed with dairy and just enough veggies to make you feel like you are eating something wholesome. A buttery cracker crust on top seals the deal in the most delicious way. This one is pure holiday indulgence and I am here for it.

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9. Baked Parmesan Yellow Squash

These little yellow squash rounds are proof that easy does not mean boring. A light sprinkle of seasoning and a generous dusting of parmesan is all they need to shine. They bake up in about 20 minutes and taste like a million bucks. Simple, cheesy, and completely snackable.

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10. Maple-Glazed Squash and Apples

Squash and apples belong together and I will not hear otherwise. They are both wonderfully roasted, perfectly autumnal, and absolutely made for a generous pour of maple. This dish lands somewhere between sweet and savory in the best kind of way. It is warm, cozy, and crazy delicious.

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11. Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash

This one hits that perfect sweet and savory note that makes you go back for seconds. The pieces turn out soft and tender on the inside with those irresistible crispy little edges I cannot get enough of. It gets a warm hit of cinnamon and just the right amount of sugar to keep things interesting. Honestly, it smells incredible while it roasts too.

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12. Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

Eating every color of the rainbow never looked this good. This gorgeous quinoa salad is loaded with gorgeous fall colors, which means it is also loaded with feel-good nutrients. The roasted squash brings that sweet, caramelized flavor while the quinoa makes it satisfying and hearty. It is healthy but so full of flavor you will not miss a thing.

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13. Roasted Beet and Butternut Squash Salad

This salad looks like a bowl of jewels. You get stunning roasted beets, golden squash, and fresh arugula all tangled together in the prettiest way. Tangy goat cheese, fresh herbs, garlic, pepitas, and a hit of balsamic and red wine vinegar make every bite pop. It is as delicious as it is gorgeous.

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14. Maple Baked Butternut Squash

If cinnamon is not your thing, this recipe tones down that warm spice and lets the maple do the talking. The squash bakes low and slow in a buttery chicken broth situation that makes every bite juicy and full of flavor. It is still wonderfully sweet but with a more mellow vibe. I think you are going to love how simple this one is.

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15. Butternut Squash Soup

I am convinced you have not truly done fall right until you have curled up with a bowl of butternut squash soup. This recipe is silky smooth and tastes unbelievably rich from the very first spoonful. It is the kind of soup that feels fancy but is secretly so easy to make. Perfect for a cozy night or the start of your Thanksgiving meal.

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16. Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

A lot of Thanksgiving sides qualify as comfort food, but this pasta takes the crown. It is creamy, garlicky, and so delicious I could eat it every single day without complaint. I probably should not do that, but I absolutely could. This is the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a second.

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17. Butternut Squash Basmati Rice

Simple food can absolutely be packed with flavor and this rice proves it. Basmati rice and tender butternut squash come together into something savory and almost shockingly good. I am a basmati loyalist and I use it every single time I make rice, no matter what cuisine I am cooking. This dish is proof that cozy does not have to be complicated.

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18. Roasted Yellow Squash

This side dish could not be easier if it tried. You only need three simple ingredients plus a few seasonings and about 30 minutes in the oven. It comes out tender and golden with just the right amount of flavor. A total lifesaver when your Thanksgiving guest list grows at the last minute.

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19. Butternut Squash Stuffing

Thanksgiving without stuffing is not Thanksgiving in my book. While I will always love the classic boxed version, this homemade butternut squash stuffing could honestly steal the show. It is savory, packed with flavor, and hearty enough to almost be a meal on its own. Totally worth the extra effort.

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20. Butternut Squash Salad

Let me tell you about one of the most flavorful salads I have ever met. It piles roasted squash onto a bed of greens with sweet dates, juicy pomegranates, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pistachios. Warm spices tie everything together before a cider vinegar, cumin, and date dressing gets drizzled over the top. It is fresh, vibrant, and anything but boring.

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