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The Ultimate Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon: Your New Favorite Side Dish

If there’s one dish that effortlessly combines sweet, savory, and a touch of smoky crunch, it’s this incredible Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon. It’s a side dish that doesn’t just complement your meal; it elevates it to a whole new level. Perfect for holiday feasts, weeknight dinners, or any occasion when you crave comforting, flavorful vegetables.

Transforming Taste Buds: Why This Recipe Changes Everything for Brussels Sprouts Haters

Okay, let’s be honest. Brussels sprouts have a reputation. For many, the mere mention conjures up images of bland, boiled, or overly bitter vegetables. I’ll be the first to raise both hands and admit that I, too, usually can’t stand them. That is, until I discovered this simple recipe, which miraculously transforms those little green globes into something utterly irresistible.

The secret lies in the roasting process combined with just a couple of extra ingredients. When Brussels sprouts are roasted at a high temperature, their natural sugars caramelize, turning them tender on the inside with delightfully crispy, slightly charred edges. This process drastically reduces their inherent bitterness, replacing it with a nuanced, nutty sweetness.

Pair them with the naturally sweet butternut squash, coat them generously in golden honey, and season with just the right touch of salt. And then, for the grand finale – the crispy, savory bacon. Oh, honey and bacon, you truly complete this dish. Forget those bitter “sports socks” (not that I’ve ever tasted them, but you get the idea!). This time, friends, you’re in for a treat that will make you a Brussels sprouts convert.

The Perfect Harmony of Flavors and Textures

What makes this Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts recipe so special? It’s the exquisite balance of flavors and textures that come together in every bite:

Sweet & Earthy Butternut Squash: When roasted, butternut squash becomes incredibly tender and its natural sweetness intensifies, offering a smooth, buttery contrast to the other ingredients.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts: No more soggy, bitter sprouts! Roasting brings out their best qualities, making them sweet, slightly nutty, and beautifully charred at the edges.
Golden Honey Glaze: A generous drizzle of honey not only adds a wonderful sweetness but also helps create that beautiful, irresistible caramelization on the vegetables. It’s what gives them that gorgeous golden-brown finish.
Crispy, Salty Bacon: This is the game-changer. The smoky, salty crunch of crispy bacon pieces provides a fantastic textural contrast and a burst of savory flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the honey and squash. It ties all the elements together into a cohesive, mouth-watering experience.

This dish is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to almost any meal. It’s particularly ideal for festive occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but simple enough for a hearty weeknight dinner. The minimal prep and mostly hands-off cooking time make it a stress-free option for busy cooks.

A Staple for Your Thanksgiving Table (and Beyond!)

This is the last of the side dishes I’m sharing for your Thanksgiving menu planning, and it’s truly a showstopper. However, keep an eye out tomorrow for a BONUS recipe: a state-of-the-art, crowd-feeding dessert that’s so good, you might even consider it for breakfast! Then, by Friday, all fingers crossed, you’ll be receiving one of the best desserts your eyes and mouths have ever seen and tasted. Get ready, Team Cafe Delites!

This Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses and other holiday sides. Consider serving it alongside:

Pictured:

TOP LEFT: Stove Top Green Bean Parmesan Casserole; TOP RIGHT: Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

BOTTOM RIGHT: Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes; BOTTOM LEFT: One Pan Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey & Potatoes With Gravy.

Tips for Roasting Perfection

Achieving perfectly roasted vegetables is simpler than you think. Here are a few tips to ensure your Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts turn out flawlessly every time:

Even Sizing: Cut your butternut squash into roughly 1-inch pieces and halve your Brussels sprouts. This ensures they cook evenly and are tender at the same time.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give your vegetables space! If you overcrowd the baking sheet, the vegetables will steam instead of roast, leading to a softer texture rather than crispy edges. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
High Heat is Key: Roasting at 390°F (200°C) is crucial for caramelization and getting those desirable charred bits without burning.
Pre-cook Bacon: For truly crispy bacon, it’s best to pan-fry it separately in the last 10 minutes of the vegetables’ roasting time. This allows you to control the crispness and prevent it from getting soggy or burning in the oven. The rendered bacon fat can also be used to add extra flavor when roasting the vegetables, if you wish, by tossing them in a bit of the fat before adding the honey and butter.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your roasted vegetables once they come out of the oven. If you prefer more sweetness, an extra drizzle of honey can be added while they are still warm. A sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper can also enhance the flavors.
Optional Additions: Consider adding a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor, especially for a holiday presentation. A touch of fresh thyme or rosemary could also complement the dish beautifully.

This recipe transforms these humble vegetables into a vibrant, flavorful side that might just steal the show at your next meal. It’s naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free by swapping butter for olive oil, making it adaptable for various dietary needs.

ENJOY!

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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

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5 from 2 votes

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

By Karina

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 4 SERVES

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts With Crispy Bacon Pieces in a simple 2 ingredient coating for roasting! This dish is a game-changer for anyone who thinks they dislike Brussels sprouts.

Ingredients

▢ 17 ounces butternut squash or pumpkin, diced into 1-inch pieces
▢ 14 ounces Brussels sprouts halved
▢ 2 tablespoons honey plus an addition tablespoon for after roasting, if desired
▢ 1 tablespoon butter melted, or olive oil
▢ 1 pinch salt to taste
▢ 2 bacon rashers diced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 390°F | 200°C. Grease a baking sheet or tray with cooking oil spray, wipe over with a paper towel; set aside.
Add the butternut squash and brussels sprouts together on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with honey and melted butter (or olive oil), season with salt. Toss to evenly coat.
Arrange in an even layer and roast for 45 minutes until the sprouts are slightly charred and the squash is fork tender.
In the last 10 minutes of roasting time, pan fry the bacon pieces over medium-high heat in a small pan or skillet until crisp and cooked to your liking.
Remove squash and sprouts from oven and allow to cool slightly. Taste test at this point and add an extra drizzle of honey if you wish. Mix in the fried bacon pieces.
Serve with this Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey, Green Bean Parmesan Casserole, and Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.

Notes

Tip: For extra sweetness, drizzle extra honey over your butternut squash once cooked. Make sure not to overcrowd your baking sheet for best results.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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