Baked Acorn Squash with Bacon and Brown Sugar
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
Nothing screams Fall more than a Baked Acorn Squash and nothing is better than having your own Roasted Acorn Squash recipe with bacon, butter, and brown sugar!
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 11/6/18 TO IMPROVE READER EXPERIENCE.
Nothing screams Fall more than a Baked Acorn Squash and nothing is better than having your own Roasted Acorn Squash recipe with bacon, butter, and brown sugar!
When I was a youngster, my siblings and I often wrestled over the new box of cereal before it was even out of the grocery sack. There were four of us kids and it was a fight of the fittest.
However, when we had Baked Acorn Squash, we all got our own half. I savored it even as a child. It made me feel like a grown-up!
I’ve got to be honest, the only squash I’d ever had or cooked was acorn squash with brown sugar and butter. But why mess with something that isn’t broken right?
Well, how about expanding your horizons little miss Hostess At Heart? So, I started expanding my squash horizons with a little investigating.
What’s the healthiest squash?
According to Care2 Healthy Living Winter squashes tend to have higher nutrients. They state “Acorn squash takes the gold thanks to its higher amounts of folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium than butternut, hubbard, or spaghetti squash.
One cup of cooked acorn provides more potassium (896 mg) than two bananas (844 mg)” Squash is also full of soluble fiber. In fact, one-half cup of cooked squash has as much soluble fiber as a cup of lentils or barley!
Bacon, butter and brown sugar sound like a recipe for weight-conscious failure but an entire half only has 180 calories!
That being said, I’ve now expanded my horizons and have tons of recipes to share like these!
- Hasselback Bacon Apple Butternut Squash recipe. It’s delicious and a real eye-catcher.
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash – This squash is full of flavor and makes an impressive, attractive plate for family or guests
- Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash. Another great choice if you love the flavors of chili!
- Acorn Squash with Bacon – One of our most popular recipes!
- Wild Rice and Apple Stuffed Acorn squash – A fresh and delicious squash that’s a vegetarian option or a great side dish.
How to bake Acorn Squash
- Wash the skin of the squash. I use a vegetable brush
- Microwave the whole squash or 3 minutes
- Lay the squash on its side and cut it in half.
- Scoop the squash seeds out
- Place the squash in a baking pan flesh side up.
- Brush the flesh with butter.
- Season with salt and pepper and fill with ingredients
- Bake until tender when pierced with a fork
Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest Board!
Tips for cooking squash
- I microwave my squash before cutting it. It makes cutting or peeling it so much easier. Make sure you handle it with a hot pad or towel. It gets really hot!
- Scrub the squash before cutting or peeling it. If your squash is not clean, you’re transferring anything on the outside to the inside when you cut it.
Many recipes have you adding liquid to the baking dish and baking the squash flesh side down for half the baking time.
I’ve never found that to be necessary. This squash is tender and moist baking it the entire time flesh side up. Plus I love the color and roasted flavor that it takes on.
What to serve with Baked Acorn Squash
I love serving Roasted Acorn Squash with grilled chicken and steaks.
John has cooked them on the grill and loves the smokey flavor they take on. It’s filling enough that you don’t need a lot of other sides and it makes for a delicious simple meal. Here are some great recipe ideas.
Items you may need to make Baked Acorn Squash:
Hostess At Heart participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information.
- Vegetable Brush – I try and keep the peel/skin on my vegetables when I cook them. They contain vitamins and other nutrients. It’s important to get them clean and using a brush works well!
- Loaf Pan – I find that both halves of the squash will usually fit in a loaf pan without tipping over. I like that these pans are a little bit bigger. I use them for meatloaf and bread recipes too!
- Chef’s Knife – This is my favorite knife and I use it 95% of the time. I’ve used this knife for years and it still looks brand new. It’s been worth the investment!
Here are some other variations that we love!
- Canadian bacon and pineapple
- Filled with stuffing and leftover chicken or turkey.
- Ground Sausage and Thyme
- Brown Sugar, Butter, and pecans
- Maple syrup adds another flavor and can be used instead of brown sugar
- Fresh apple slices, cinnamon, and dried cranberries
Baked Acorn Squash with Bacon and Brown Sugar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- 2 tsp butter divided between each half
- 2 tsp brown sugar divided between each half
- 1 slice bacon 1/2 to 1 slice per half
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Light Karo Syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven (or grill) to 400°F.
- Wash the outside of the squash.
- Microwave the whole acorn squash for 3-1/2 minutes. Remove with hot pads or a towel. Lay the squash on its side (not end) and slice the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Put the squash in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. A loaf pan will usually work.
- Rub the cut side of the squash with 1 teaspoon of butter and put the remaining piece in the center for each half.
- Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar in the center of each half of the squash.
- Drizzle each half lightly with light Karo syrup. This glazes the squash and helps the bacon line the center of the squash. Sprinkle each side with a pinch of salt.
- Slice the bacon down the short side and line the center of each squash.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
These Baked Acorn Squash are perfect to eat as a side dish, especially with poultry.
John has cooked them on the grill and loves the smokey flavor they take on.
Do you have another version that you like? I’d love it if you’d share! I’m always looking for inspiration.
Thank you for this recipe! Growing up, my mom made this for me, but without the Karo, plus she covered it.
I was wondering if you do two slices bacon total, so there’s one for each half. The recipe says one slice, but from the pictures, it looks like there was one per half. Thanks 🙂
I’m all about bacon so I’m sure I did one per half. You could use less if you’d rather. The Karo is my twist to squash. I just love how it gives the squash that sweet contrast to the butter and smokey bacon.
microwaving the squash before cutting it was a BRILLIANT idea! Made this today… but on our grill since its so warm… and it was amazing! The bacon was done perfectly and the squash so light and yummy!
Oh, that sounds amazing! Time to head back to the farmers market!
My husband LOVES acorn squash. I always bake it with just the brown sugar. The addition of bacon is brilliant!! He LOVED it!
Thank you Michaela!
Love the addition of the bacon!
Thank you, Liz! We really like that bit of savory with the sweet.
I rarely eat acorn squash but now I know that I need to be eating it more often! I love that you lined the cups with bacon so all that yumminess seeps into the squash! I can’t wait to try this!!
Thank you Jennifer! Bacon makes everything better right?
I make acorn squash for my hubby, and he loves it! WHY have I never thought to add bacon?? This looks glorious!
Thank you Michaela! Try the bacon and let me know what the hubby thinks!
I hate to admit this but I have never had acorn squash before! This looks like the perfect recipe to make to try it, it sounds amazing!
Thank you Madi! We grew up eating them and since then I’ve tried butternut too.
What a fabulous and delicious idea! Definitely a must try recipe. Love the savory and sweet combination of flavors from the bacon, brown sugar and syrup.
Thank you Kathy! I love that flavor combo too!
The bacon screams “try me” on that acorn squash Julie. Wow! This is definitely tempting me, and with the brown sugar? Both compliment each other real well. Love all types of squash, this definitely cuts the time in half by microwaving it. Will have to give it a go for sure!
Thank you Loretta! The quick microwave time really helps to cut it in half so you can scoop it out.
I made this last night and even got my oh so picky brother to eat squash…. it was the bacon! He (and all of us actually ) LOVEd it! SO easy and delicious!
Thank you Michele! That sounds like John LOL!
The sweet flavor of acorn squash with the salt from the bacon is a delicious combination. We eat this as a complete meal. Stuffing it with sausage is fantastic too! We love this recipe.
Thank you Sandra! I love this combo too.
I love this idea of a baked acorn. Eating Acorn was one of my favorite things to eat when I was up North. Your recipe reminded me that I need to make it again. Great recipe and those pics are making me drool.
Thank you Rini! I love how food invokes memories.
When I was a kid acorn squash was one of my favorites. My mom would fill it with butter, brown sugar, and beans & wienies . I still love acorn squash, and yours looks fabulous!
Thank you Debi! Beans and wienies? Now that’s original for me!
lol, Julie, I take it Mr. Picky doesn’t always read your blog, haha! This looks seriously delish. My Mom used to sprinkle sugar on her squash but the bacon is the deal breaker here! Gorgeous!!
Mollie
wow. I was going to say something about how I don’t like sugar on squash, because I like its natural sweet flavor, but with the bacon in there?!!! WOW. Love this recipe!
I agree with Lily as one of my recipes is very similar but no bacon! That recipe is microwaved the whole time (no oven) The other one uses the microwave as well but the squash is cubed with apples, apple cider, thyme and butter. Your recipe is reminding me to pick up one or two the next time I go shopping 🙂
Thank you Judi! I’ve made these in the microwave too and they’re so good on the grill as well. We just love them and I don’t know why we don’t make them more often.
I’ve had baked acorn squash with butter and brown sugar, but adding bacon just takes it to a whole other level of deliciousness! Thanks for sharing, Julie:)
Thank you Lily! I love the smoky bacon in here with the sweetness of the brown sugar and butter.
I’ve eaten acorn squash but have never cooked it myself. This certainly does sound like a recipe I should try Julie, thank you.
If there are three flavors that are meant to go together they would be butternut squash, brown sugar and bacon! Oh my heavens (in fact, when I saw this recipe I actually said that outloud!) What a great recipe for a Thanksgiving side dish!!!
Thank you, Lynn! I agree with that opinion!
I love acorn squash! It’s perfect for cold fall evenings!
Thank you, Shadi! We really love this version.