• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bake It With Love

  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2025 by Angela Latimer · 9 Comments

Microwave Acorn Squash

Jump to Recipe
Easy microwave acorn squash recipe pin featuring a tender squash half served with butter and brown sugar sauce.

My easy microwave acorn squash cooking method yields perfectly tender acorn squash in no time at all. Load up your favorite fillings like the comfort food classic combination of butter and brown sugar for a super quick vegetable side that everyone loves!

See my other favorite microwave cooked veggies like carrots, corn on the cob and broccoli.

Tender microwave acorn squash served in white bowl.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Microwave
  • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • Tip for Storing Whole Squash
  • 🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With
  • ❓ Microwave Acorn Squash Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

The microwave steams the squash to absolute perfection, making it incredibly moist and fork-tender. A simple filling of butter, brown sugar, salt, and pepper melts into the squash, creating a luscious, built-in sauce.

This is the ultimate easy side dish for busy weeknights, holiday meals when your oven is full, or anytime you want a comforting, healthy vegetable without the wait.

🥘 Ingredients

You only need four simple ingredients plus your squash to make this easy side dish!

  • Acorn Squash – This is enough for 2 servings. Get additional acorn squash if you wish to make more.
  • Water – This is for steaming the squash in the microwave.
  • Butter (1 tablespoon pat portion for each acorn squash half) – Adds richness and helps the brown sugar melt into a beautiful glaze.
  • Light Brown Sugar (1 packed tablespoon portion for each acorn squash half) – Brown sugar has a nice flavor that pairs perfectly with acorn squash. It is much better than white sugar. You will notice the delicious difference.
  • Salt & Pepper (optional) - To balance the sweetness and season the squash perfectly.

🔪 How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Microwave

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, tender acorn squash in a fraction of the time it takes to roast. Each acorn squash yields 2 servings.

4 step by step process photos of preparing and microwave cooking the acorn squash.

Step 1: Cut and prep. Prepare your whole acorn squash by cutting it in half (lengthwise, photo 1) with a sharp knife and coring or scooping out the insides of the squash (the seeds, photo 2) with a large spoon.

Leave as much flesh as possible in each half of the acorn squash. Rinse the acorn squash under the faucet after coring.

Step 2: Pre-cook. Place the acorn squash halves facing sliced side downward (cut side down, photo 3) in a microwave-safe bowl or dish with 2 tablespoons of water. Heat on high in the microwave for 5 minutes, uncovered.

Step 3: Fill and cook. Transfer the heated acorn squash halves to individual bowls and add 1 tablespoon each of light brown sugar and butter to each half (photo 4).

Heat again on high power for an additional 5 minutes in the microwave. *Add a savory filling of butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, plus your favorite herbs if desired.

Step 5: Finish cooking until tender. Use a fork to poke the acorn squash to check for tenderness after heating. If needed, heat the acorn squash in additional 1-minute increments until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. The acorn squash should be nice and soft for the best texture.

Step 6: Cool then serve. Remove the acorn squash from the microwave and cool for about 5 minutes before serving. *Watch your fingers, the bowls will be HOT!

You can add salt to taste if desired. Sometimes I like to sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg on the acorn squash too. It also tastes perfect with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Enjoy!

Wide overhead image of microwave acorn squash served in white bowl.

💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

  • Tips for safely cutting hard squash. If your acorn squash is very hard to cut, you can microwave the whole squash for 2-3 minutes first. This will soften the skin just enough to make it much easier and safer to slice through.
  • Don't skip the water. The water in the bottom of the dish is crucial! It creates steam, which is what cooks the squash evenly and keeps it from drying out.
  • Checking for doneness. Microwave wattages can vary. Your squash is perfectly cooked when you can easily pierce the thickest part of the flesh with a fork. If it's still firm after 12 minutes, add another minute or two to the initial cooking time.
  • Flavor variations to try. This is a fantastic base recipe! Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg with the brown sugar, or swap the brown sugar for maple syrup. For a spicy-sweet kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Cooked acorn squash stores beautifully, and this recipe is perfect for meal prep.

Storing in the Refrigerator

Let the cooked squash cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Important: For food safety, be sure to refrigerate your cooked squash within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria from growing.

Two microwave acorn squash served in white bowls.

Freezing

This is a great recipe for freezing! Once the squash has cooled, you can cut the flesh into chunks and transfer them to an airtight freezer container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It will maintain its best quality in the freezer for up to a year.

Reheating

The microwave is the perfect way to reheat it! Place the squash in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 1-minute increments until hot all the way through.

Tip for Storing Whole Squash

An uncut acorn squash can be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. A store-bought one will last for about two weeks, while a fresh garden one can last for a month or more.

  • Panda Express honey sesame chicken copycat recipe plated with rice and garnished with more white sesame seeds.
    Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
  • A square image showing a bowl of tender wok fried marinated chicken with celery, onions, and black pepper sauce.
    Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
  • Square image of crispy parmesan smashed brussel sprouts in a bowl on a wooden surface with a napkin.
    Crispy Parmesan Smashed Brussel Sprouts
  • Easy air fryer sweet potato cubes plated with parsley garnish and a small bowl of ketchup on the side.
    Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
See more Vegetables →

🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With

This makes a wonderful side dish for so many classic main courses!

  • Air Fryer Pork Chops or Honey Dijon Pork Roast.
  • Roasted Chicken or Poached Chicken Breasts.
  • A holiday centerpiece like Roasted Turkey or Honey Glazed Ham.

❓ Microwave Acorn Squash Recipe FAQs

Is the skin of acorn squash edible?

Yes, the skin is perfectly edible! After cooking, it becomes tender enough to eat. Whether you choose to eat it or scoop the flesh out is a matter of personal preference.

Can I cook the squash whole in the microwave?

No, you should never microwave a whole winter squash. Pressure can build up inside, causing it to explode, which is very dangerous. Always cut it in half and prick the skin first.

Can I use a different kind of winter squash?

Yes, this method works well for other similarly sized squash, like delicata or butternut squash. Cooking times may need slight adjustments.

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Perfectly cooked microwave acorn squash filled with butter and brown sugar.
Print Recipe Leave A Comment
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
4.99 from 88 reviews

Microwave Acorn Squash

Need acorn squash in a hurry? This microwave acorn squash method delivers perfectly tender, sweet squash in just minutes! The ultimate easy and delicious side dish.
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 232kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 10 minutes minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Ingredients
 

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 2 tablespoon butter (1 tablespoon portion each)
  • 2 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed - 1 tablespoon portion each)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your 1 acorn squash by cutting it in half and coring out the seeds. Leave as much flesh as possible in each half of the acorn squash. Rinse after coring.
  • Place the acorn squash halves facing downward in a microwave-safe bowl or dish with 2 tablespoon water. Heat on high for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the heated acorn squash halves to individual bowls then add 1 tablespoon each of 2 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoon light brown sugar. Heat on high for an additional 5 minutes in the microwave. Use a fork to check for tenderness after heating, if needed heat in additional 1-minute increments until the squash reaches your desired level of tenderness.
  • Remove from the microwave and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Prior to cooking or cutting your garden acorn squash keep it in a cool, dry, and dark area for up to a month possibly even two months. However, store-bought acorn squash is best used within two weeks of purchase (because we don't know how old the squash is already).
Once cooked, wrap the fully cooled acorn squash tightly with plastic cling film. Transfer the wrapped squash to an airtight container or plastic storage bag.
Your cooked acorn squash will last in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days. If the squash is not packaged within the first 1 - 2 hours after cooking, discard the cooked squash. *Bacteria will grow quickly at room temperature!

Acorn squash should be cooked before freezing anyway, so now is a great time to freeze your microwave acorn squash! Cut the cooked acorn squash into chunks and transfer them to an airtight freezer container or heavy-duty plastic freezer storage bag.
Once frozen, the cooked acorn squash retains great quality for up to a year. Properly frozen acorn squash that is maintained at 0ºF ( -18ºC ) can last much longer.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 34g (11%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 12g (18%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg (10%) | Sodium: 110mg (5%) | Potassium: 767mg (22%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 12g (13%) | Vitamin A: 1141IU (23%) | Vitamin C: 24mg (29%) | Calcium: 84mg (8%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Side Dish, vegetable side dish
Cuisine American
« What To Serve With Tacos
Frozen Chicken Patties In Air Fryer »

Share This Recipe!

  • Share
  • X
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.99 from 88 votes (82 ratings without comment)

    Thanks for coming! Ask anything - or let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Anon2 says

    October 03, 2023 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    Just made this with baharat, butter and honey. Toasted it a bit in the convection oven.
    Love how quick it was.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      October 03, 2023 at 11:23 am

      I love baharat spice, I can't wait to try that next time!

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    May 25, 2023 at 2:48 pm

    5 stars
    Made this last night, it was fantastic! I added butter and real raw honey, yummy. This one is a keeper!

    Reply
  3. Kathleen Medved says

    November 24, 2022 at 9:50 am

    I put some walnuts in with the butter and brown sugar - makes it extra special!

    Reply
  4. Ron says

    May 09, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent and simple 👍

    Reply
  5. Dee says

    April 08, 2022 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    This was great. My oven is not working and this saved the day d

    Reply
  6. Melanie says

    March 05, 2022 at 5:17 pm

    So easy and no one knew it hadn't baked for an hour! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  7. J C says

    March 04, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    4 stars
    A quick alternative but the texture isn't quite the same as oven roasted. Still a nice solution if you are time limited.

    Reply
  8. Tess F. says

    December 24, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe reminds me of how my Mom used to make acorn squash. It is so much easier with the microwave. Love it!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

More About Me ->

Grilling Recipes

  • Tasty, easy cookout food ideas to make and feed a crowd this summer.
    Easy Cookout Food Ideas: Best Dishes To Bring To A Cookout
  • Square image of sliced Arrachera steak on a cutting board.
    Arrachera (Mexican Steak for Tacos)
  • A square image showing tender marinated Denver steak sliced on a plate, served medium rare with a fork and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a flavorful, steakhouse-style meal.
    Denver Steak
  • Square image of grilled ostrich steaks.
    Grilled Ostrich Steaks
  • Square image of grilled pineapple.
    Grilled Pineapple
  • Square image of sliced grilled skirt steak.
    Grilled Skirt Steak
See more Grilled →

Tasty Dinner Ideas

  • A square image showing crispy quesadilla wedges stuffed with rotisserie chicken and melted cheese, plated with sour cream and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
    Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas
  • A square image showing tender wok-fried strips of chicken breast with peppers (firecracker chicken) in a black bowl over white rice with a set of chopsticks.
    Panda Express Firecracker Chicken Breast
  • A square collage of four images showing easy summer crockpot meals including tender London broil pot roast, green beans and potatoes, grape jelly meatballs, and pork carnitas tacos.
    Summer Crockpot Meal Ideas
  • Best leftover lobster recipes page image featuring four favorite dishes in a square collage.
    Leftover Lobster Recipes
  • Square collage image featuring 4 tasty recipes using leftover hard boiled eggs.
    Leftover Hard Boiled Eggs Recipes
  • Spider taco ring on baking sheet with taco toppings in the body and sliced olives for eyes.
    Spider Taco Crescent Ring
See more Main Dish →

Footer

As Seen On

As seen on these popular sites: Mashed, Tasting Table, Parade, MSN, Yahoo, Delish, The Pioneer Woman, Today, Taste of Home, and more.

↑ back to top

About

  • Meet The Team
  • Photo Sharing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • Accessibility Statement

Recipes

  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • Breakfasts
  • Cookies & Bars
  • Videos
  • Articles

AI-Free

Everything on Bake It With Love is created by me, where I share my experiences, with help from my team members and family.

I promise that BIWL is 100% free of AI content.

Get Social

Visit us on your favorite social media platforms!

Copyright © 2016-2025 Bake It With Love

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.