5 from 15 votes
Microwave Acorn Squash
This recipe shows how to quickly cook acorn squash halves in the microwave to tender perfection. The squash is first cut in half, seeds removed, then steamed with a bit of water until soft. Butter and a pinch of salt are added for flavor, and optional toppings like herbs, spices, brown sugar, or maple syrup customize the sweetness or savoriness.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
2
Calories:
86 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash medium
- 1 teaspoon butter can use vegan butter to keep the recipe vegan, melted
- Pinch salt
Optional toppings:
- herbs
- Spices
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- maple syrup
- Parmesan Cheese
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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- To make cutting easier, microwave the whole squash with venting incisions for 2 minutes before slicing.
- Place the squash halves cut side down in a microwave-safe dish with a few tablespoons of water for steaming.
- Cooking time varies with squash size and microwave wattage; test tenderness with a fork.
- Store leftover cooked squash in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5 squash
Calories
86kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
0.2g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.04g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.01g
(0%)
Sodium
6mg
(0%)
Potassium
748mg
(16%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Vitamin A
791IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
24mg
(27%)
Calcium
71mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 86
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5 squash | |
| Calories | 86kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 0.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 6mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 748mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 791IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.