Butternut Squash Noodle Recipe
Step aside carb-y pasta! We’re stir frying spriralized butternut squash noodles with butter, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and garlic to make a delicious side dish in 10 minutes.
This one pan recipe is a snap if you buy pre-spiralized butternut squash noodles. Beyond simple, healthy and super tasty.

The first time I served this dish to my husband, he was playing Xbox with his friends from England. He turned off the microphone for a second and shouted down to me in the kitchen “are there any more of those noodles”? 🙂
This dish is like “noodles” but without the carbs – very low calorie. My husband can certainly benefit from less calories.
Butternut squash on its own is pretty bland. The balsamic soy butter sauce adds yummy flavor and the baby spinach is a great way to include additional nutrients and beautiful color.
Bottom line: This low carb,10 minute butternut squash noodles recipe is fast, easy, healthy, delicious and colorful. And a great alternative to noodle recipes, potatoes or rice.
What to serve with butternut squash noodles
As a side dish, I like to serve it with: Marinated Pork Chops, Grilled Flank Steak, Lamb Sous Vide Lamb Chops, Sweet and Spicy Salmon or Mediterranean-Style Marinated Chicken.
To turn it into a main dish, try adding grilled chicken, shrimp, steak or tofu.
Step by step instructions








Tailor To Your Taste
- Add some herbs like thyme or chives
- If you like some heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Try garnishing the dish with chopped toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch
- If you like a touch of sweetness, add a pinch of sugar or maple syrup.
- If you can’t find spiralized squash, a great substitute is sweet potatoes or zucchini noodles.
Shortcut
- Buy butternut squash already spiralized. (If not available, you can spiralize your own. The time on the recipe does not include spiralizing)
FAQ
Most mainstream grocery stores carried some version of spiralized squash. They look like thick orange spaghetti noodles. You may also see a ‘fettucine’ version in some of the pictures. They will both work fine. Some stores even carry frozen versions.
Buying pre-spiralized squash is more expensive, but it’s a good splurge (and huge time saver) if you can manage it for a healthy, great side dish. No peeling. No cutting. If you’ve every cut fresh butternut squash you will know it’s not easy.
Yes. According to healthline, butternut squash is an excellent source of provitamin A carotenoids, vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. It’s low in calories and packed with fiber.
The best way is to use a spiralizer that you buy at the store. If you don’t have one, you can julienne the squash by hand or with a mandolin. Here’s a video on how to julienne squash. Alternatively use a julienne peeler or a regular vegetable peeler to shave strips off the squash.
Love butternut squash?
Try one of these other vegetarian recipes
- quinoa and butternut squash salad
- butternut squash salad cups
- squash curry (30 minutes)
- easy squash apple soup
- Thai-inspired butternut squash soup
- butternut squash salad with warm cinnamon dressing
Butternut Squash Noodle Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound spiralized butternut squash, Note 1 approximately 4 cups
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Balsamic Butter Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar good quality
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce light or low sodium is fine
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 small clove
- 1/4 teaspoon each, salt and black pepper (or to taste)
- OPTIONAL: pinch sugar or maple syrup; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (thyme or chives)
Instructions
- MAKE SAUCE: In a medium skillet or wok, heat all the sauce ingredients on medium-high heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
- STIR FRY: Add spiralized squash and stir fry, tossing frequently, for about 3-4 minutes just until tender but not too soft (it should still have a bite – al dente). Add chopped spinach and mix for another 30-60 seconds until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt, pepper and a teaspoon of maple syrup if desired. Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like.
Recipe Notes
- To spiralize butternut squash at home: Use a spiralizer if you have one to make vegetable noodles, following the manufacturers instructions. Another option is the julienne the squash with a mandolin as seen in this video.Â
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated from 2017 with new information and images.