Roast butternut squash recipe

One butternut squash will satisfy a family of four for just £3.48 if you pack it with tasty veg, cheese and herbs.

Ingredients

• 1red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 courgette, chopped
• 3tbsp olive oil
• 1 butternut squash, halved and deseeded
• 1-2tbsp freshly chopped thyme
• Salt and ground black pepper
• ½ x 125g packet soft cheese with herbs and garlic
• Sprigs of thyme, to garnish

Method

1. Set the oven to 200°C or gas mark 6. Place the chopped red pepper and courgette on a baking tray and drizzle over 2tbsp of the olive oil.
2. Turn the vegetables to coat them well in the oil.
3. Use a sharp knife to score a criss-cross on the cut surface of the butternut squash halves and put them on the baking tray, cut-side up, alongside the other vegetables. Brush the remaining olive oil over the squash.
4. Place the baking tray in the centre in the oven and bake for about 30 mins, or until the vegetables are starting to go golden.
5. Remove from the oven. Scatter the chopped thyme over the red pepper and courgette and season with salt and pepper, and then stir to mix. Fill the cavity of the butternut squash halves with this mixture, also spreading it over the solid end of the vegetable. Break the cheese into pieces and scatter it over the top.
6. Return the baking tray with the butternut squash to the oven to cook for a further 20-30 mins, or until the cheese is a light-golden colour.
7. Remove from the oven, cut each piece in two, and serve immediately, with salad garnished with thyme sprigs. If you're really hungry, you can have a side each, but that's more expensive. (Not suitable for freezing).