It’s fall, the air is crisp, and butternut squash is literally everywhere! But let’s be honest—while it’s one of the stars of autumn veggies, prepping a butternut squash can feel like a workout. If you’re like me and prefer meals that don’t require an arm workout before you even get to eat, you’re going to love these lazy butternut squash recipes. They’re fast, use simple ingredients, and (best of all) are truly delicious!

Whether you’re looking to throw together a quick dinner after work, or you just want to make the most of your butternut squash haul without spending hours in the kitchen, these lazy butternut squash recipes will come to your rescue. So grab your pre-cut squash from the supermarket (no shame in that!), and let’s dive into seven easy meals that are as satisfying as they are effortless.

1. Butternut Squash and Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sheet pan dinners are the definition of lazy, and they’re a lifesaver on busy weeknights. The best part? Everything cooks together, and cleanup is a breeze! This butternut squash and chicken combo is packed with flavor, and you can easily throw in some frozen veggies for an even heartier meal.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 2 chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup frozen broccoli or green beans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the butternut squash and frozen veggies in olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and surround them with the seasoned veggies.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature) and the squash is tender.

Serve this lazy butternut squash recipe as it is, or throw it over some pre-cooked quinoa or rice if you’re feeling fancy. The whole family will love this easy, one-pan meal!

2. Butternut Squash and Ground Beef Skillet

Ground beef is a go-to lazy ingredient, and when you pair it with butternut squash, you get a cozy, hearty meal with almost no effort. This dish is loaded with protein and veggies, and you can make it all in one pan!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: shredded cheese for topping

How to Make It:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, cooking until softened (about 3 minutes).
3. Stir in the butternut squash, canned tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top if you want to make it extra comforting.

This lazy butternut squash recipe works perfectly as a filling for tacos or a topping for baked potatoes. It’s a true comfort dish that’s easy to whip up in no time.

3. Lazy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta

Pasta dishes are always a winner in my book, and this lazy butternut squash recipe brings all the fall flavors into one creamy, cheesy bowl of goodness. We’re using pre-cooked sausage here, so all you need to do is cook the pasta and toss everything together.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 1 pound cooked sausage (Italian or chicken sausage works great)
• 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini are ideal)
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. While the pasta cooks, steam the butternut squash (use the microwave to save time!).
3. In a large skillet, cook the sausage and garlic powder for about 3 minutes.
4. Add the steamed squash and frozen spinach to the skillet, cooking until the spinach is heated through.
5. Pour in the cream and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, and mix everything together.

This lazy pasta dish is creamy, comforting, and loaded with veggies and protein. Plus, it’s on the table in under 30 minutes—perfect for those busy weeknights!

4. Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos

Tacos are the ultimate lazy dinner. They’re quick, customizable, and packed with flavor. This lazy butternut squash recipe uses simple pantry ingredients like canned black beans and taco seasoning to create a tasty and healthy meal.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 8 small tortillas
• Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese

How to Make It:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the butternut squash cubes in olive oil and taco seasoning.
3. Roast the squash on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
4. In a small saucepan, heat the black beans until warmed through.
5. Assemble the tacos by filling each tortilla with roasted squash and black beans. Add your favorite toppings.

These tacos are a delicious way to enjoy butternut squash without much effort. You can even set up a taco bar and let everyone build their own—easy, fun, and perfect for a lazy dinner!

5. Butternut Squash Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

Soup might sound like a labor-intensive dish, but this lazy version uses pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and pre-cut squash to keep things simple. This is a cozy, filling, and warming soup that’s perfect for fall.

What You’ll Need:

• 4 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (optional for creaminess)
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add the butternut squash cubes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup (or transfer it to a blender in batches).
4. Stir in the shredded chicken, thyme, and coconut milk (if using).
5. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 more minutes.

This soup is rich, creamy, and packed with fall flavors. It’s a lazy butternut squash recipe that tastes like it took all day to make, but only requires minimal effort.

6. Butternut Squash and Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Casseroles are the epitome of lazy cooking. You throw everything into a dish, pop it in the oven, and let it do its thing. This lazy butternut squash recipe combines chicken, squash, and pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce for a filling and delicious dinner.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 2 cups cooked chicken (leftover or rotisserie works great)
• 12 oz pasta (penne or ziti)
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
3. Steam the butternut squash until tender (about 5 minutes in the microwave).
4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, chicken, squash, and Alfredo sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and a total crowd-pleaser. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken and squash, and it requires almost no effort!

7. Butternut Squash and Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are a go-to lazy meal because they’re quick, easy, and you can throw in whatever veggies you have on hand. This lazy butternut squash recipe uses frozen veggies and a simple stir-fry sauce for a fast and delicious dinner.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups pre-cut butternut squash cubes
• 1 bag frozen stir-fry vegetables
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving

How to Make It:

1. Steam the butternut squash until tender.
2. In a large skillet, sauté the garlic in sesame oil for 1 minute.
3. Add the frozen veggies and cook until heated through.
4. Stir in the steamed squash, soy sauce, and honey. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Serve over rice or noodles.

This stir-fry is a quick and healthy meal that’s packed with veggies. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste, and it’s perfect for a lazy night in!

Butternut squash recipes don’t have to mean boring or bland. These dishes prove that you can enjoy the sweet, nutty flavor of butternut squash without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few easy-to-find ingredients and minimal prep time, these meals will become your go-to fall favorites. So grab that squash, hit the kitchen, and start cooking—lazy-style!

Enjoying the fall season? Spice it up with my post on top pumpkin food items from Trader Joes here.