Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe: A Healthy and Hearty Meal for Fall
As the crisp autumn air rolls in, nothing hits the spot like a warm, hearty salad. Our roasted butternut squash salad combines the sweet flavors of roasted squash with greens, feta, and a tangy dijon dressing for a deliciously unique twist on traditional salad recipes. This fall-inspired salad can be a satisfying meal on its own or a fantastic side dish to complement your main course. Packed with nutrients, flavor, and the essence of autumn, this roasted squash salad is perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner. Ready to dig in? Here’s why you should give this recipe a try!
Why Try This Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe?
If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant salad that’s both filling and full of seasonal flavors, this roasted butternut squash salad recipe is for you. With simple ingredients like butternut squash, pecans, apple cider vinegar, and quinoa, you can create a satisfying salad that reflects the flavors of fall. Whether you’re craving a hearty salad to complement your meal or a quick yet healthy meal prep option, this salad hits the mark.
Roasting the butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and deepens the flavor, creating a rich base that pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of feta cheese and the tanginess of a dijon dressing. This fall salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients like fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both taste and wellness.
What Makes Roasted Butternut Squash the Star of This Salad?
When you roast butternut squash, it becomes more than just a vegetable. The roasting process caramelizes the sugars in the squash, giving it a sweet and savory flavor that stands out. It’s the ideal base for any autumn salad, especially when paired with hearty ingredients like sweet potatoes and kale.
The key to the perfect roasted squash is ensuring that it’s cooked just right. Roasting butternut squash cubes at the right temperature ensures that the squash becomes tender and slightly crispy on the edges. Whether you roast it in the oven or use an air fryer, the result will be the same—a sweet, caramelized flavor that enhances your salad.
How to Make Roasted Butternut Squash for Your Salad
Before assembling your roasted butternut squash salad, the first step is to roast the butternut squash. Start by peeling the butternut squash and cutting it into cubes. The squash cubes should be roughly the same size to ensure they cook evenly. Toss them with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is tender and lightly browned.
While the squash is roasting, feel free to prepare the other ingredients for your salad. This can include washing and drying your salad greens, crumbling the feta cheese, or chopping other vegetables or fruits, like apples or pecans, for added texture and flavor.
How Do You Assemble a Roasted Butternut Squash Salad?
Once your roasted squash is ready, it’s time to assemble the salad. Start by adding your green salad base to a large salad bowl. For this recipe, arugula or kale works beautifully, but you can use any leafy greens you prefer. Then, add the roasted squash and toss the ingredients together. If you want to take the flavor to the next level, sprinkle some dried cranberries and pecans on top, adding a little crunch and a pop of color to your fall-inspired salad.
To make the dressing, combine apple cider vinegar, dijon dressing, and a drizzle of maple syrup in a small jar. Shake it well to combine the ingredients, then drizzle it over your salad. Toss gently to combine, ensuring every bite is covered in that tangy-sweet dressing.
What Are the Best Add-Ins for This Salad?
While this roasted butternut squash salad is amazing on its own, you can also get creative with some add-ins. Goat cheese is a wonderful option for those who aren’t fans of feta—it adds a creamy texture and a subtle tang that works well with the sweet squash. For a more filling meal, consider adding cooked quinoa or sweet potatoes, both of which are packed with nutrients and make the salad even heartier.
You can also experiment with different types of squash. Acorn squash or butternut squash soup can be used as a variation to give your salad a unique twist. Maple syrup instead of honey can provide a slightly different flavor, so feel free to experiment based on your preferences.
Why Is This Salad Perfect for Fall?
Fall is the season of rich flavors, and this roasted butternut squash salad embraces all that autumn has to offer. The roasted sweet squash brings that warm, comforting feeling to the table, while the addition of pecans and dried cranberries mimics the classic tastes of autumn. The natural sweetness from the squash and maple syrup pairs wonderfully with the tangy Dijon dressing and apple cider vinegar.
What makes this salad even better is that it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be served warm, with roasted squash still tender from the oven, or you can let the ingredients cool slightly for a more refreshing experience. Either way, it’s the perfect dish to celebrate the season.
Can You Make This Salad Ahead of Time for Meal Prep?
Yes! One of the best things about this roasted butternut squash salad is that it makes for a fantastic meal prep option. You can roast the squash and store it in the fridge for a few days. When you’re ready to eat, just toss the squash with your greens and other ingredients, and drizzle your homemade vinaigrette on top.
If you plan to have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately. This will prevent the salad from getting soggy and ensure that it stays fresh throughout the week. The roasted butternut squash will last for up to five days when stored properly, making it easy to grab and go for busy days.
How Can You Customize Your Roasted Butternut Squash Salad?
This recipe is highly customizable to suit your tastes. For those who like a bit of extra spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your Dijon dressing or sprinkle it on the roasted squash for a little kick. You can also swap out the greens, using arugula, spinach, or even a combination of greens for more variety.
For a more hearty salad, add quinoa or sweet potatoes to fill you up. If you prefer a bit more sweetness, feel free to toss in some apple salad or add sliced apples for a refreshing crunch. Feta or goat cheese are both great cheese options that will blend perfectly with the roasted squash, so use whichever you prefer.
Can You Add Protein to This Roasted Butternut Squash Salad?
Yes, absolutely! While this salad is quite filling on its own, adding a source of protein can make it even heartier. Consider topping your roasted butternut squash salad with grilled chicken, tofu, or even roasted Brussels sprouts for a more balanced meal. If you’re vegetarian, quinoa or chickpeas can provide a nice protein boost while keeping the dish plant-based.
How Can You Enjoy This Salad as a Main Course?
This butternut squash salad is versatile enough to be enjoyed as a meal or as a side. To make it the perfect meal, serve it alongside quinoa, sweet potatoes, or even some crusty bread to help fill you up. The combination of squash, pecans, and a variety of greens provides both nourishment and flavor that can stand on its own.
Whether you make this roasted butternut squash salad for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, it’s a satisfying and flavorful choice. The sweetness of the squash, paired with the richness of the cheese and the crunch of pecans, makes every bite a delicious treat.
Why You Should Try This Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe
- Perfect for Fall: Roasted butternut squash brings autumn’s flavors to life.
- Healthy and Hearty: Packed with nutritious ingredients like greens, pecans, and dried cranberries.
- Easy to Prepare: Roast the squash, toss with salad ingredients, and drizzle with vinaigrette.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make it ahead of time for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings or protein to make it your own.
Try this recipe today and enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal that’s perfect for the season!
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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Recipe with Feta and Apples
- Total Time: 1 hours
Description
Try this roasted butternut squash salad recipe with feta, apples, and maple vinaigrette for a perfect autumn meal. Healthy, delicious, and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 cup sliced onion
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ⅓ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- ⅓ cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Brush cut sides of butternut squash with olive oil. Wrap each squash half tightly in aluminum foil.
- Roast squash halves in the preheated oven until they begin to soften, about 20 minutes. Remove squash from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. Remove foil and slice into 3/4-inch thick slices. Remove skin from each slice and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Set aside 8 cups of the cubed squash, reserving any remaining squash for another use.
- Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Add onions to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 8 cups squash and cook, tossing occasionally, until onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, and squash cubes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Place romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl; crumble bacon on top and add pecans and raisins. Add butternut squash-onion mixture; toss to combine. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm.
Notes
You can cook the butternut squash on an outdoor grill over indirect heat if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 25minutes
- Cook Time: 35minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1per Serving
- Calories: 197kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 203mg
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 11mg
Keywords: Roasted squash salad Butternut squash salad recipe Fall salad with roasted butternut squash Healthy autumn salad Feta apple salad