Now that it is officially the end of summer, I am ready to start cooking with all the squash again. One of my favourite types of squash is butternut squash. It's so versatile that you can cook with it so many different ways. Enjoy it in a soup, as a sauce, diced with veggies or as a dip. I created this roundup to share some unique and inspiring recipes from some of my favourite foodies. Enjoy these 15 easy and healthy butternut squash recipes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

How to Enjoy Butternut Squash

As I said at the beginning of this post, butternut squash is so versatile! You can enjoy it in so many ways. One of my personal favourite ways to enjoy it is blended and used as a sauce. It makes the perfect naturally dairy-free and creamy sauce. If you do want to roast it, I like just cutting it in half, scooping out the seeds and then roasting it on high. Then you can easily scoop out the cooked flesh and blend away. You can also cube it and roast it that way as well, which helps speed up the cooking time.

The Benefits of Butternut Squash

From a nutrition standpoint, butternut squash packs a serious punch. Check out all the benefits of incorporating butternut squash below:

• Rich source of carotenes: the deeper the colour, the richer the concentration.
• Good source of vitamin C, which is great in the winter.
• Good source of folic acid, potassium and dietary fibre.
• Good source of vitamin B6 and niacin.

15 easy and healthy butternut squash recipes

Butternut Squash Sauces and Dips:

I loved combining cooked butternut squash with a few smoky spices to create a savoury sauce for your next pasta night. Top with some fried sage leaves and you are good to go!

This smoky lentil butternut squash dip from Kula's Kitchen is a great way to change up hummus. With the addition of a little almond butter, this dish is unique and fancy enough to also serve to guests.

Looking for a dairy free alfredo sauce? Sweetly Raw has created a recipe that you can use butternut squash or pumpkin for and combine it with cashews to make it extra creamy.

Butternut squash pasta gets a boost of protein with the addition of collagen! Check this recipe featured on Vital Proteins website.

Buttenut Squash Soups:

This healing and comforting Turmeric Butternut Blender Soup from Joyous Health looks perfect for cozying up to in the winter. Don't forget the roasted chickpeas on top!

This flavourful soup from Irene Matys gets a boost of freshness from the gremolata on top. Be sure to whip this up in the winter!

Another delicious soup option is this Roasted Red Pepper and Butternut Squash Soup from Crumb Top Baking. Leanne has made me a fan of puréed soup with this one!

Combine squash with miso and you have a flavourful and deliciously warming soup from Living Kitchen Wellness. Don't forget the kale and chickpeas which add fibre and protein too.

This Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Cream from Foody First is almost too pretty to eat. Butttt, I will definitely be eating it!

As a huge Thai fan, I cannot get over how delicious this Thai peanut noodle soup with butternut squash from Earth & Oven looks!

Butternut Squash And Veggies:

Leanne from Crumb Top Baking has us covered with her Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables with Kale that makes a perfect vegetarian side dish.

This simple two ingredient gnocchi from Naughty Nutrition couldn't be easier to make. And don't forget to top it with some of their antioxidant rich pesto too!

Butternut Squash Smoothies:

Sneaking butternut squash into your smoothies may just change how you make your fall and winter smoothies. Check out Balancing Andie's butternut squash smoothie for when you want a quick and healthy breakfast on-the-go.

If you want to make your next smoothie into a bowl, check out my version of a butternut squash smoothie, complete with all the toppings!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe roundup for easy and healthy butternut squash recipes. Are you a fan of butternut squash? Which recipe do you want to make first? Let me know in the comments below!