Butternut Squash Pie

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 11/14/23
Tested by Mary Jo Romano
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 110 mins
Cooling Time: 25 mins
Total: 2 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This delicious butternut squash pie with the flavors of brown sugar and cinnamon is sure to get smiles. The filling is similar to a pumpkin pie in texture and flavor, but butternut squash has a bit more sweetness than most pumpkin used for pies. Try it instead of pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie at your next holiday dinner or get-together. 

butternut squash pie slice served with whipped cream

The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

Butternut squash is easy to find in the fall and winter and stores for a long time, so you can make this pie at a moment's notice if you have the other ingredients. It just requires cooking the squash first and creating a puree, which is not hard. Partially bake (blind bake) the pie shell first to avoid sogginess.

“The filling is thinner than expected, yet the baked result is magnificently light and fluffy with a slight sweet profile. The bottom is delightfully crisp. The pie is a fantastic alternative to holiday pumpkin pie. In fact, this butternut squash pie was enjoyed by pumpkin pie avoiders.” —Mary Jo Romano

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 large butternut squash

  • 1 (9-inch) homemade or store-bought deep-dish raw pie shell

  • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, more to taste

  • 3 large eggs

  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk, or half-and-half

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, more for garnish, if desired

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • Whipped topping or whipped cream, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients to make butternut squash pie

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 F. Line a large baking pan with foil. Brush the foil with the oil.

    Brushing foil lined sheet pan with oil

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  3. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and reserve for another use or discard.

    butternut squash sliced in half on a cutting board

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  4. Place the squash, cut-side down, in the prepared pan. Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the squash is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork, 45 to 55 minutes.

    piercing butternut squash on sheet pan

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  5. Let the squash cool completely. Scoop out the flesh, mash or purée the squash, or put it through a food mill. Measure 1 1/2 cups of mashed squash and set aside. Save any remaining squash for another use.

    butternut squash in a food mill

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  6. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F. Prick the bottom and sides of the crust with a fork and line it with parchment paper. Add pie weights, and bake until the crust just begins to brown, 13 to 15 minutes.

    baked pie crust

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  7. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the mashed squash with the brown sugar on medium speed until combined.

    butternut pie filling in a stand mixture

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  8. Taste and adjust sweetness with more sugar as desired. Add the eggs, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, flour, butter, and vanilla. Continue beating until well combined. Alternatively, use an electric hand-held mixer.

    butternut pie filling in a stand mixture

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  9. Put the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully add the filling to the pie shell.

    unbaked butternut squash pie on a baking sheet

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  10. Transfer to the oven, and bake until the filling sets, 45 to 55 minutes. Begin checking the pie at 35 minutes. If the crust is browning too quickly, set a ring of foil or a pie crust protector over the crust, so it won't get too dark.

    baked butternut squash pie on a baking sheet

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  11. Transfer the pie to a rack to cool. Serve just warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped topping, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

    butternut squash pie cooling on a wire rack

Tips

  • You can cook the squash a day in advance. Refrigerate the pureed squash until you're ready to make the filling.
  • If you can't find butternut squash and you want to make this pie, some companies make canned butternut squash puree. Look for it next to the canned pumpkin.
  • Before serving, pipe a decorative border onto the pie with homemade whipped cream or whipped topping.
  • If you are making a homemade pie shell, cut out a large maple leaf or several smaller leaves with the extra dough. Place the leaves on a parchment paper-lined baking pan and bake them alongside the pie just until they are lightly browned (about 5 to 10 minutes). Place them on the pie just before serving.

Recipe Variation

  • To reduce carbs and fat, skip the crust altogether. Make the filling and divide it among ramekins for individual butternut squash puddings. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until set.
  • Replace the spices with about 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
  • You can make this pie gluten-free if needed by making or purchasing a gluten-free pie crust.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
286 Calories
12g Fat
40g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 286
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 80mg 27%
Sodium 149mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 15%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 6mg 32%
Calcium 115mg 9%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 253mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)