Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip. {Video!}
NEW FAVORITE SNACK ALERT.
It warrants the caps. Trust me.
Remember a few months back when I went through a serious butternut squash phase? It was intense and annoying and never really ended. And I thought that January may be too late for squash but then I realized that in this 2015 world you can pretty much find whatever you want whenever you want and also because… football parties.
Apparently they are still going to be a huge thing, deflated balls and all.
FYI: this is what you need to make and take to your partay.
Or, alternate FYI: this is what you need to make for yourself. Like maybe even for dinner. I mean, it’s squash and goat cheese. It’s practically a salad, just pureed. It really makes all the sense in the world.
We had a dip similar to this a few weeks before Max was born and it was so SO so good – but only came with, like, six tiny pieces of bread for dipping and um, hello? No. With dip, you need tons of bread. What is up with restaurants constantly having an unbalanced dip to dipper ratio? What are you supposed to do with the extra dip? Eat it with a spoon?
Not that I would vote against that.
So we had something similar and I knew I had to make it at home. It’s ridiculously easy, almost embarrassing to a point – this is a dip? Who knew?
You have some roasted butternut squash – seasoned and cooked until tender. Almost caramely.
Then pureed with creamy and tangy goat cheese. A few spices and flavors – some herbs on top – and you’re good to go. THAT’S IT.
It really is very simple but the dippers make it too: just take some pita and slice it into triangles and warm it until puffy and fluffy and brush it with melted butter and sprinkle it with black pepper and… and… and… dip until your heart is content. I can’t handle it.
Now I hate to even tell you this. Like, really hate it. But this dip also pairs wonderfully with… raw vegetables. As dippers. If you like that freaky stuff.
I KNOW.
I won’t say anything else. Don’t want to ruin it for all of us.
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cubed butternut squash
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- a few grates of fresh nutmeg
- 11 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons freshly chopped herbs: oregano, basil, cilantro, parsley, sage
buttery black pepper pitas
- 6 large pitas, sliced into triangles
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Toss the squash cubes with the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Spread out on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, then toss and bake for 15 more, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F.
- Add the squash (and any olive oil drippings) to a food processor along with the nutmeg and goat cheese. Blend until completely smooth and pureed. At this point, you can taste and determine if you need more salt and pepper. Transfer the puree to an oven-proof dish. Bake the dip for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is warmed through. I like to remove the dip from the oven and stir so it gets super creamy. Top with a drizzle of oil and the fresh herbs and serve immediately.
buttery black pepper pitas
- Place the pita triangles on a baking sheet. Put in the oven when the dip has 5 minutes left to warm the pitas – or a little before if you want them toasted and not warm. Remove the pitas and brush them with the melted butter and grind pepper over top. Serve immediately. You can also serve this dip with veggies!
Did you make this recipe?
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this dip can be your thing too.
108 Comments on “Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip. {Video!}”
Considering I love cheese, this probably will become my new favorite snack! :)
You had me at butternut squash! I can eat this days on end!
Did you squash WITH GOAT CHEESE? I want to dip my whole face into this because those are my two most fav things on planet EARTH. This is incr-EDIBLE. Pinned!
I have all this butternut squash that is going bad in my garage from summer! So glad I have a tasty way to use it up. My husband has vowed he will NOT eat it just plain boiled and mashed on the stove top. Will not! So I had been change it up or else (not sure what the “or else is” probably means he’ll be heading to Mighty Taco. Is that so bad? I don’t think so.
Laura, let me tell you about this amazing butternut squash smash I’ve been eating for breakfast for the last 2 weeks. It’s in the current issue of Rachel Ray magazine and it has sage green onion with a bit of olive oil and smells divine! You pile the smash on toast spread with goat cheese and nom away. Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/butternut-squash-smash/
Yes please! Must try this one soon!
oh my goodness. starving!!
Ok, I totally vote for the eat-it-all-for-dinner option. You’re talking to a butternut squash monstahhhhhh over here!
I think I could eat this as a soup! Love the combination of flavours!
Roasted quash in a dip is just soooo perfect. I always roast squash and blend it into my hummus, so delish!
I want this for breakfast right now!
Love everything about this!!! And you’re right….it IS practically a salad!!
Oh my goodness, I need to try this dip! This looks amazing!
This dip sounds fabulous! I love the idea of combining squash with goat cheese! Amazing!
I love goat cheese EVERYTHING, and it sounds perfect with squash! I bet it would be delicious with raw veggies too, but I refuse! Haha! I will stick to the carby chips. They love fabulous too. :)
OMG, this looks absolutely delicious! It’s cheese – and squash – and cheese – and…!!
I only started making pumpkins two or three years ago – they aren’t really a “thing” in my country and kind of hard to get, which is why I’ve only ever used one kind yet (hokkaido).
I recently saw an awesomely looking recipe that featured a butternut squash, though, and now I’m determined to try this out next autumn (thankfully, a new place opened near my uni which had them aggressively displayed last year so I know where to get them). And now here’s another recipe I can’t wait to try out! I’ll have to buy all the butternut sqashes available!
(IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Is this a spoon specifically for pumpkins? Because I’d love a spoon specifically for pumpkins. If so, does it have a specific name?)
I would never think of this combination. But holy moly does it sound delicious. Butternut and goat cheese are like my two favorite things! YUM-O!
So many things: 1- you put two of my favorite foods together and I am so excited. 2- Agreed in that, you know what? dips CAN be dinners. 3- Is it just me or is there an epidemic of restaurants not serving enough bread/crackers with dips?
This looks incredible- it’s a combo of so many of my favorite things to eat!
Yuuummm! Yea, I get annoyed when i run out of dippers too!
Omg O meed this in my life. I actually make a version with maple. Mind blown. Thinking this would be just as delicious!
This looks amazing. I must try it!
I don’t care what time of the year it is, I love butternut squash! This dip sounds amazing and I completely agree with you about restaurants and the dip to dipper ratio. I usually compensate by loading up unreal amounts of dip on each dipper. It’s not the prettiest sight, but it gets the job done. :)
I just started following the paleo diet to deal with some autoimmune nonsense, and you are my new best friend! Going to make this for a girls mountain weekend next month!!
gah, I will never stop loving butternut squash. this looks perfect!!
Love that you made a Patriots deflated ball reference! And this dip looks amazing.
Hm yummy x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
We had something like this at a restaurant it was amazingggg. Need to see if this is similar.
Ahhh I am so glad you’re blogging about squash because yesterday I blogged about mini pumpkin cinnamon buns!!!
http://www.thedomesticblonde.com/2015/01/22/mini-pumpkin-cinnamon-buns-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
Kudos to you for being able to take photos of this dip without demolishing all of it first. Ohhhh this is just magical. Two of my favorite things wrapped up in a fluffy pita bread. You know the way to my heart.
Big time confession: I’ve never tried butternut squash. *hangs head in shame* I’m pretty sure this will be my first butternut squash dish & I’m already in love. Pinned!
This dip looks so amazingly velvety and smooth! Can’t wait to try it!
You are the dip QUEEN!!! This is a beauty. Yum!
This looks so yummy! I am a huge fan of roasted squash with goat cheese sprinkled on top, but I never would have thought of blending it into a dip! Love. :)
Okay…so I just risked life and limb last week to cut up a butternut squash to make your amazing butternut squash shells and cheese recipe for the umpteenth time…love that dish…and now it looks like I’m going to have to break out the machete (haha) again for this delectable dip…or you could just add it to that snacky dinner you’re making for all of us! ;)
That dip looks fantastic! I love butternut squash – turning it into a dip is the best idea ever!
yum! I’ve been looking for dips to make for the super bowl party I’m hosting. This looks delicious! Pinning!
With theNew England Patriots heading to the Super Bowl, I might be needing this recipe. I have never had squash and goat cheese in the same dish but it sounds intriguing .
Nom.
I need to get me some of this!
Now THIS is my kind of Super Bowl food! I love the flavor combo of squash and goat cheese and the idea of that allll baked up into a warm dip is heaven. YUM.
Totally diving into this heavenly butternut squash dip! Amazing dip recipe for the big game!
My goodness this looks amazing! I think i’ll get this a go :) x
http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk
Made it !! Love it !! I did not nutmeg so i used cinniamon, thyme and halfed the goat cheese .. Umm amazing ! Thats all I have to say :)
oh my god, two of my favourite things mashed together into one, sounds so good! Was in need of a new alternative to humous… can’t wait to try this
There are very few times when I like butternut squash but I’m pretty sure this is one of them.
Ohhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
You had me at goat cheese.
Unfortunately, my family doesn’t like goat cheese (I KNOW!), do you have an alternate suggestion? PS – received your cookbook for Christmas and no one has lost their Christmas weight at our house yet! Must be coincidence!
I LOVEEE goat cheese. Great idea pairing it with the dip. Do you have a recipe for homemade pita? I love dipping soft pita into hummus or dips like that. YUM!
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