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Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese & Pomegranates

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Roasted butternut squash combined with goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary make this simple gluten free and vegetarian dish a star at your holiday gatherings - Eat the Gains

Roasted Butternut Squash combined with goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary makes an absolutely delicious, simple, and flavorful dish. It makes a healthy Thanksgiving and holiday side dish or is perfect for weeknight meals for fall and winter. Gluten-free and vegetarian.

Last updated on November 12, 2020.

Bowl filled with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary all mixed together.

This recipe screams fall and holidays. The butternut squash, the rosemary, the pomegranates, I mean what more can do you want?!

I don’t want to brag, but this roasted butternut squash is so, so good. Maybe one of my favorite side dishes I’ve made. That’s a bold statement, but I just love it.

It’s sweet and savory, has a little zip from the citrus and balsamic vinegar, and different textures from the goat cheese to the pomegranates. The best part is, it is SO SIMPLE to make. And it will be the star of your Thanksgiving side dishes.

Because we all know it’s all about the side dishes!

This roasted butternut squash can actually be enjoyed all fall and winter long though, no holidays needed. It makes the perfect side dish to just about any meal – turkey, pork, chicken, beef, salmon – and is easy to prepare. To save some time, you can use precut butternut squash and prepackaged pomegranate arils from the grocery store.

Bowl filled with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary all mixed together. It is sitting on a kitchen towel with half a pomegranate and more rosemary next to it.

How to cut butternut squash

There are a few different ways to cut butternut squash, but I find this the easiest way for chopping.

  1. First, chop off both ends of your butternut squash. Then, using a vegetable peeler, peel about the skin. You may need to do it a couple of times over similar areas as the skin is thick.
  2. Then, lay the squash down on its curvy side and slice widthwise into 1 inch thick rounds. When you get to the bulb, stand it up and cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.
  3. Lay a couple of rounds on top of each other and cut into 1-inch pieces. Chop the bulb into the same size pieces.

Make sure you use a sharp knife as it makes a huge difference.

How to cut a pomegranate

Pomegranates are so pretty, but how on earth do you cut them? They can look a little intimating because of the hard shell and all the membrane on the inside once you cut it open, getting out the arils is quite simple.

There are a few ways to do it, but this is the easiest way for me.

  1. Start by slicing it in half width-wise. Some juice will come out, so make sure you are on a surface that won’t stain. Then, over a bowl filled with water (I like to do this in the sink), break apart the halves into a few pieces with your hands. The seeds will fall down into the bowl.
  2. Hold the pieces just above or under the water in the bowl and free the arils from the membrane. The white membrane will float to the top while the arils sink, making it easy to separate the two.

You can also cut it this way, but I find that is too many steps with slicing and cutting. But if you like that way better, go for it!

And you can always buy pomegranate arils at the grocery store!

A hand holding half a cut pomegranate over a bowl filled with water

How to make roasted butternut squash

Just 7 simple ingredients to make this flavor-packed roasted butternut squash with goat cheese and pomegranates. Easy to make and an absolutely delicious side dish that goes with any entree, holidays or not!

Here is what you need:

  • butternut squash
  • goat cheese
  • pomegranates
  • fresh rosemary
  • lemon juice
  • balsamic vinegar
  • garlic powder
  • salt and pepper

First, start by prepping your butternut squash. See above for how to chop the butternut squash. Add to a large baking sheet (you may need two depending on how big they are) lined with parchment paper, add your coconut oil, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, and mix well to combine.

I like to mix it up on the baking sheet as it saves me dirtying another dish. Roast butternut squash for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until fork-tender.

Baking sheet filled with cubed roasted butternut squash.

Then, while the squash bakes, prepare your dressing by mixing together the lemon juice, balsamic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Next prep your pomegranate seeds (see above for how to cut a pomegranate).

When the butternut squash is done, add to a large bowl and pour the dressing overtop. Mix well to combine. Then add your goat cheese and pomegranates and carefully mix well to combine. Top with a little more rosemary if you like.

Measuring cup filled with chopped rosemary mixed with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Next to it is half a lemon and more rosemary.

Substitutions for roasted butternut squash with goat cheese & pomegranates

While this roasted butternut squash is pretty simple and doesn’t call for much, there are a couple of substitutions you could do:

  • squash – you could also substitute another kind of winter squash (everything except spaghetti squash), pumpkin, or sweet potatoes if you don’t have butternut squash.
  • cheese – any kind of cheese will work. I would suggest a soft cheese like feta or gorgonzola as a good alternative.
  • oil – I used coconut oil, but any kind of cooking oil will work.

Additions to this recipe

Here are some things you could add to this dish:

  • nuts – pecans or walnuts would be good! Even better if they were a little bit candied!
  • dried fruit – if you like dried fruit in dishes, I think dried cranberries or raisins would work.
  • herbs – you could also add more herbs like thyme, sage, or parsley.

Overhead shot of a large bowl filled with roasted cubed butternut squash, pomegranates, and goat cheese.

More healthy holiday side dishes

Overhead shot of a bowl filled with a simple butternut squash salad.

Bowl filled with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary all mixed together.
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4.67 from 24 votes

Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese & Pomegranates

Roasted butternut squash combined with goat cheese, pomegranates, and rosemary makes an absolutely delicious, simple, and flavorful dish. It makes a healthy Thanksgiving and holiday side dish or is perfect for weeknight meals for fall and winter. Gluten-free and vegetarian.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Roasted Butternut Squash
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 cups
Calories 153kcal
Author Kelly

Ingredients

For the Butternut Squash

  • 10 heaping cups chopped butternut squash (1 large/1360 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
  • 1/2 heaping cup pomegranate arils
  • 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Toss the butternut squash with coconut oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well to combine. I like to do this on the baking sheet to save dirtying another dish. Spread out evenly on the baking sheets and bake for 30-40 minutes or until fork-tender, stirring once around 20 minutes.
  • While the squash bakes, make the dressing by whisking together the lemon juice, balsamic, rosemary, and salt and pepper.
  • Once squash is done, transfer to a baking dish or serving bowl. Stir in the dressing until combined. Add pomegranates and goat cheese and mix carefully to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese & Pomegranates
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 153 Calories from Fat 41
% Daily Value*
Fat 4.6g7%
Saturated Fat 3.3g21%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.6g
Potassium 690mg20%
Carbohydrates 27.6g9%
Fiber 7.9g33%
Sugar 7.3g8%
Protein 4.1g8%
Vitamin A 25382IU508%
Vitamin C 36mg44%
Calcium 109mg11%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe or anything from Eat the Gains, leave a comment and rating to let people know how you liked it! Also, make sure to post it and tag me so I can see all of your creations!! @eatthegains and #eatthegains on Instagram!

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Comments

    • Thank you! I love combining sweet and savory! What is the trick to get out the seeds?! I just spent another 15 minutes getting them out of another one lol.

      Reply

  3. This looks ah-mazing! Definitely making it for our 2nd thanksgiving on Friday!
    How far ahead of time can this be made? Would you recommend re-heating just the squash and then adding the dressing/cheese/arils?
    Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Ohh 2 thanksgivings?! That sounds fabulous! Yes, I would do exactly that. Just leave off the dressing, goat cheese, and poms and then add them once the squash warms up. Hope you enjoy it Megan!

      Reply

      • Oh my goodness!! This was truly a fantastic dish! It was the star of the show! Plus, I found an easy way to get the pomegranate seeds out…delegate it to my niece who thought it was the coolest job ever! Ha!
        And we have decided that 2 thanksgivings work perfect bc our family is too big and our house too small, so we do one day with my husband’s family and one day with mine. Plus, thanksgiving is my favorite seasonal food, so I luck out!
        Thanks so much for sharing this recipe Kelly, it will definitely be made over and over and over again!

        Reply

        • Thank you so much Megan! So glad you loved it!! I love that you gave your niece that job, I’ll have to see if my bf will go for it lol. Hope both of your thanksgivings were amazing!

          Reply

  5. 5 stars
    Hello! I stumbled across your blog some time ago and enjoy all the recipes! The Spaghetti Squash Bake looks yummy! Several in our family are on the GAPS diet right now and we are always looking for new recipe ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. 5 stars
    My daughter made this for Thanksgiving dinner and everyone raved and requested the recipe.. She was inspired to add pecans, which we all applauded.

    Reply

  8. Hi,
    Great stuff buddy.
    Great post, I have read this post here I got very useful information. This is a very useful article for online review readers. Keep it up such a nice posting like this. I started a Blog and Hopefully, it will be successful like you.
    Thanks for the share.

    Reply

  9. Hi,
    Great post, I have read this post here I got very useful information. This is a very useful article for online review readers. Keep it up such a nice posting like this.
    Thanks for the share.

    Reply

  10. 5 stars
    Hi!!
    Love your post. It’s really amazing & helpful too. Being foodie i keep trying new dishes i tried this recipe & it turned out to be really tasty . Keep sharing 🙂
    Thank You & Regards
    Ankita

    Reply

  11. Hi,
    Great stuff buddy.
    Great post, I have read this post here I got very useful information. This is a very useful article for online review readers. Keep it up such a nice posting like this. I started a Blog and Hopefully, it will be successful like you.
    Thanks for the share.
    Ranjeet Sharma

    Reply

  17. 5 stars
    This is soooo good. Made it for Thanksgiving with a combination of sweet potatoes and butternut squash. My mother-in-law and I both thought it was the best thing on the plate. 🙂

    Reply

  18. 5 stars
    I made this recipe tonight with beef Wellington. Only thing everyone talked about was the squash! Everyone asked for the recipe and went back for seconds. My friend said she could eat this all day. Some thought it didn’t need the pomegranates but I liked the texture. Great recipe. I love getting a ton of praise. Will make it for a holiday feast next time.

    Reply

  19. 5 stars
    This is soooo good. Made it for Thanksgiving with a combination of sweet potatoes and butternut squash. My mother-in-law and I both thought it was the best thing on the plate. 🙂

    Reply

    • I like it both ways! Out of the oven, it’s really good because the goat cheese gets a little melted and coats the squash, but I have eaten the leftovers cold and enjoyed it the same. Hope that helps!

      Reply

    • I wouldn’t toss it together and then reheat the butternut squash. You can either slightly undercook it, or reheat it in a pan with a little oil on the stove. Then toss it all together. Hope that helps Marny!

      Reply

  23. 5 stars
    This was amazing!!! I wasn’t sure if I’d like it or how others would like it because it’s so different from the other dishes we serve typically. I love the different textures in this dish and the sweet and savory combo is so good. Everyone liked it and now I’ll be bringing this to all holiday parties from here on out. Thanks for sharing another easy recipe!

    Reply

  24. 5 stars
    This was great, a good transition from Thanksgiving sweet potatoes to something a little more fresh. Every potluck needs something that won’t leave people waddling out of the room. Simple and so smart!

    Reply

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