Fall is the right time to cozy up with hearty and flavorful dishes, and this Autumn Pasta Salad is simply the ticket! Full of roasted butternut squash, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a tangy Maple Dijon Dressing, this salad brings all of the seasonal goodness collectively in a single large bowl.
This salad seems like a heat hug on a cold day, making it a really perfect alternative for lunch, dinner, or as a satisfying fall aspect dish. Plus, it’s simple to whip up, so that you’ll be savoring the tastes of autumn very quickly.
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Whether or not you’re getting ready for a seasonal gathering, a weeknight dinner, or just craving a wholesome fall meal, this Autumn Pasta Salad won’t disappoint. The combo of textures and flavors, from tender pasta to candy cranberries and salty feta, ensures a scrumptious chunk each time. So, let’s dive into what makes this dish particular and how one can deliver it to life in your kitchen.
What Makes This Butternut Squash Pasta Salad Recipe Wholesome?
This fall salad is just not solely tasty but in addition full of vitamins. Right here’s why it’s a wholesome choice:
- Complete grain or gluten-free pasta can be utilized to make it even more healthy!
- Butternut squash is loaded with nutritional vitamins A and C, which help immune well being, and it provides a pure sweetness with none added sugar.
- Child spinach gives dose of iron, calcium, and fiber, making the dish extra nutritious and filling.
- Pecans are a terrific supply of wholesome fat and add a satisfying crunch.
- The Maple Dijon Dressing makes use of easy components with no added preservatives, maintaining it healthful.
Why You’ll Love This Straightforward Autumn Pasta Salad Recipe
- Nutritious and filling – It’s not only a salad; it’s a hearty meal that may preserve you full for hours.
- Fast to arrange – Prepared in simply 25 minutes!
- Good for meal prep – It shops nicely for a few days, making it a handy choice for packed lunches or fast dinners.
- Versatile – Get pleasure from it heat or chilled, as a primary dish or a aspect.
- Full of taste – The combo of roasted squash, tangy dressing, and candy cranberries creates a satisfying mix.
RELATED: Thanksgiving Salad with Butternut Squash and Lentils – It is a totally loaded for a meal-style salad that additionally makes a scrumptious aspect dish for all the things from Thanksgiving to weeknight dinners. This salad can be each gluten-free and vegetarian.
Components you’ll want
For the Fall Pasta salad
- 8 oz. pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus 1/4 cup for the dressing)
- Salt and pepper, to style
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
- 2 cups child spinach
- 1/4 cup pink onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Tangy Maple Dijon dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper, to style
You should definitely try the total ingredient checklist and printable recipe within the recipe card under.
The way to make this Autumn Pasta Salad recipe
- Cook dinner the pasta: Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook dinner in keeping with package deal directions. Drain and rinse underneath chilly water. Put aside.
- Roast the butternut squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced butternut squash with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Unfold it on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, till tender and barely caramelized. Let it cool.
- Put together the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the components: In a big bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted butternut squash, cranberries, toasted pecans, child spinach, pink onion, and feta cheese.
- Costume the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all of the components evenly.
- Serve or retailer: Benefit from the salad instantly, or refrigerate it for as much as 2 days.
Make this Fall Pasta Salad recipe, then try my Thanksgiving Salad with Butternut Squash and Lentils, my Cute Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board Concept and extra of my fall salad concepts.
Suggestions and steadily requested questions on this Butter Nut Squash Pasta Salad recipe
Learn on for ideas and substitution concepts on methods to make this fall salad, resembling methods to customise this salad, and methods to retailer this salad.
Can I exploit a distinct sort of squash?
Sure! You should use acorn squash and even candy potatoes if butternut squash isn’t obtainable.
Can I make this salad forward of time?
Completely. It shops nicely within the fridge for as much as 2 days, making it excellent for meal prep.
Is that this salad gluten-free?
It may be in the event you use gluten-free pasta.
What different nuts can I exploit apart from pecans?
Walnuts, almonds, and even pumpkin seeds would work nice as substitutes.
Can I add a protein to make it a full meal?
Sure, grilled hen, left over roasted turkey, or chickpeas could be scrumptious additions.
The way to Retailer Leftovers of Autumn Pasta Salad
Retailer the salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. In the event you’re planning to make it forward, preserve the dressing separate and blend it in proper earlier than serving for the freshest taste.
A hearty Fall aspect dish that’s simple to make
This Autumn Pasta Salad recipe brings all one of the best flavors of fall into one pleasant dish. It’s hearty, nutritious, and excellent for a fast lunch, a weeknight dinner, or a wholesome aspect at your subsequent gathering. Whether or not you get pleasure from it heat or chilled, this pasta salad is a improbable method to have a good time the season. So, seize your squash and pasta, and prepare to savor each chunk of autumn!
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Different Pasta Salad recipes to attempt
- Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad – This creamy seafood pasta salad recipe is a pleasant mixture of succulent shrimp, al dente pasta, and a creamy dressing that may transport your style buds to a sunny beachside retreat. This salad is a hearty and refreshing summer time salad delight!
- Mexican Road Corn Pasta Salad – This vibrant salad combines the zesty, creamy goodness of elote (Mexican road corn) with tender pasta, making it an irresistible aspect dish or a stand-alone meal for these lazy days when cooking seems like a chore.
- Mandarin Rooster Pasta Salad – Full of protein-rich hen, in addition to flavorful mandarin oranges, greens and a tasty dressing, this salad is a straightforward method to nourish your physique.
- Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad – This pasta salad is loaded along with your favourite pasta noodles, recent tomatoes and mozzarella and tossed in one of the best tasty pesto! It’s such a straightforward dish and excellent for anytime of the 12 months!
Components
For the Fall Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz. pasta (rotini, penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to style
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
- 2 cups child spinach
- 1/4 cup pink onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Maple Dijon Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to style
Directions
- Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook dinner in keeping with package deal directions. Drain and rinse underneath chilly water. Put aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Unfold on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, till tender and barely caramelized. Permit to chill.
- In a small bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- In a big bowl, mix the cooked pasta, roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, child spinach, pink onion, and feta cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all components evenly.
Notes
Get pleasure from instantly or refrigerate for as much as 2 days.
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