Get able to savor the flavors of fall with our autumn pasta salad! Roasted butternut squash, crunchy apples, candy cranberries, and nutty pecans, all come along with creamy feta and a zesty honey-Dijon dressing. Whether or not it is for a comfy autumn get-together or a tasty standalone meal, this salad captures the essence of the season in each mouthful. Simple preparation and make forward pleasant. Comes collectively in half-hour!
On the lookout for a style of fall that is each straightforward and scrumptious? Look no additional than our autumn pasta salad. It is made with roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, and a mixture of candy cranberries and creamy feta. And the most effective half? The selfmade honey-Dijon dressing is a breeze to make.
Actually, I can not resist a superb pasta salad, and this one has been a pleasure to develop, make, and luxuriate in time and again. Not just for the flavors – it is extremely scrumptious – however for the attractive presentation. Simply take a look at these colours! It simply screams autumn! That is the salad it would be best to convey to your vacation gatherings.
Desk of Contents
Why You will Love This Recipe
❤️ Simple to arrange. With easy directions and readily-available elements, this recipe is approachable for each novice and skilled cooks.
❤️ Nutritious elements. This salad consists of nutritious elements like butternut squash, apples, and pecans, offering a steadiness of nutritional vitamins, fiber, and protein.
❤️ Make-ahead. You possibly can put together this salad upfront and let it chill within the fridge, which not solely permits the flavors to meld but additionally makes it a handy choice for busy days or entertaining.
❤️ Flavorful and balanced. The salad presents a pleasant mixture of candy and savory flavors. The roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, dried cranberries, and feta cheese create a harmonious mix that is each satisfying and scrumptious.
Detailed Ingredient Notes
- Pasta. You possibly can select your favourite pasta form, resembling rotini or farfalle.
- Butternut squash. Butternut squash provides a creamy texture and candy, nutty taste to the salad. It is a quintessential autumn ingredient. When choosing butternut squash, search for one that’s agency, with out blemishes or delicate spots.
- Apples. The selection of apples can impression the salad’s taste. Tart varieties like Granny Smith present a pleasant distinction to the sweetness of the squash and cranberries, whereas Honeycrisp apples supply a sweeter and crisper chunk. We used Honeycrisp apples in ours. Be certain that to cube them into bite-sized items.
- Dried cranberries. Dried cranberries contribute a candy and tangy factor to the salad. You should utilize sweetened or unsweetened cranberries based mostly in your choice. Unsweetened cranberries are a more healthy choice.
- Pecans or walnuts. Chopped nuts, whether or not pecans or walnuts, convey a satisfying crunch and nutty taste. You possibly can toast them for added depth of taste, however watch out to not over-toast and burn them. We used untoasted chopped pecans in our salad, and it tasted nice!
- Feta cheese. Feta cheese gives a creamy, barely tangy, and salty distinction to the sweetness of the opposite elements. You possibly can crumble it into the salad to make sure every chunk incorporates a little bit of that scrumptious cheese.
- Olive oil. Use good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for each roasting the butternut squash and making the dressing. The oil provides richness and taste to the dish.
- Apple cider vinegar. This vinegar imparts a fruity and tangy notice to the dressing, complementing the apples and enhancing the general taste profile.
- Honey. Honey provides pure sweetness to the dressing, balancing the tanginess of the vinegar. Modify the quantity based mostly in your desired degree of sweetness.
- Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard contributes a bit of warmth and complexity to the dressing. It additionally helps emulsify the dressing, so it adheres properly to the elements.
- Salt and pepper. These seasonings are important for enhancing the flavors within the salad. Season to style, protecting in thoughts that feta cheese and salted nuts will add some saltiness.
- Recent herbs (optionally available). Recent thyme or rosemary can be utilized as a garnish for an additional burst of autumn taste and a visually interesting contact.
Step-By-Step Directions With Photographs
Storage Directions
To make sure your autumn pasta salad stays contemporary and flavorful, correct storage is essential. If in case you have leftovers, place it in an hermetic container to forestall air publicity and moisture loss. Retailer the container within the fridge, the place it may be safely stored for as much as 3-4 days.
Over time, the pasta might take in among the dressing, so it is a good suggestion to order a little bit of dressing to refresh the salad earlier than serving. To take action, merely drizzle a little bit dressing and toss the salad to revive its authentic style and texture.
Substitution Ideas
- Pasta. You should utilize any kind of pasta you like. Rotini and farfalle work properly, however it’s also possible to go for entire wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, and even vegetable-based pasta like zucchini noodles you probably have dietary preferences.
- Butternut squash. If you cannot discover butternut squash, you may substitute it with different kinds of winter squash, like acorn squash, kabocha, and even candy potatoes for the same roasted texture and candy taste.
- Apples. Whereas Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are nice decisions, you should utilize different apple varieties like Fuji, Pink Woman, or Gala based mostly in your style. Pears will also be an appropriate substitute should you favor a special fruit.
- Dried cranberries. If you do not have dried cranberries, you may substitute them with raisins, currants, or chopped dried apricots for the same candy and chewy factor.
- Pecans or walnuts. As an alternative of pecans or walnuts, you should utilize almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts for the nutty crunch.
- Feta cheese. If you happen to’re not a fan of feta, think about using blue cheese, cojita, or a vegan cheese various for a creamy, tangy factor. You can even omit the cheese altogether for a dairy-free model.
- Olive oil. Any good-quality oil, resembling avocado oil can substitute for olive oil.
- Apple cider vinegar. Crimson wine vinegar or white wine vinegar can be utilized as alternate options to apple cider vinegar for the same tangy impact.
- Honey. Maple syrup or agave nectar can substitute honey should you’re in search of a sweetener various.
- Dijon mustard. Grainy mustard or common yellow mustard can be utilized rather than Dijon mustard. Modify the amount to fit your style.
- Recent herbs. If you do not have contemporary thyme or rosemary, you should utilize dried herbs or omit them altogether. Recent parsley or basil will also be an ideal addition for a special taste profile.
Ideas for Success
- Roast the butternut squash excellent. When roasting the butternut squash, be sure that to chop it into evenly-sized items to make sure even cooking. Keep watch over it within the oven, as you need it to be tender and barely caramelized, not overly mushy or undercooked.
- Cook dinner the pasta al dente. Cook dinner the pasta simply till it is al dente, which implies it is agency to the chunk. Overcooking can result in a mushy texture within the salad.
- Steadiness the dressing. When making ready the dressing, style as you go. Modify the honey, Dijon mustard, and seasoning to attain the proper sweet-tangy steadiness that fits your palate.
- Chill earlier than serving. Enable the salad to sit back within the fridge for at the least half-hour earlier than serving. This time permits the flavors to meld and intensifies the general style of the salad.
- Customise to style. Be at liberty to customise the salad to your liking. You possibly can add roughly of any ingredient, and it’s also possible to introduce different parts like roasted hen, cubed ham, spinach, or kale for added protein or greens.
- Recent herbs for freshness. If you happen to go for the optionally available contemporary inexperienced onion or thyme garnish, use it sparingly, as contemporary herbs will be potent. They add a burst of freshness and perfume to the salad, however a little bit goes a great distance.
- Reserve some elements for garnish. Save a number of items of roasted butternut squash, apple, or nuts to sprinkle on high of the salad for a gorgeous presentation.
- Contemplate dietary preferences. If in case you have dietary restrictions or preferences, do not hesitate to make use of gluten-free pasta, vegan cheese, or modify the elements to accommodate your wants.
FAQ
Sure, you may simply add protein to this salad. Grilled or roasted hen, diced cooked ham, chickpeas, or tofu will be nice choices. Add them once you mix all of the salad elements, or serve the protein on high of the salad for a heartier meal.
Completely! This recipe is versatile. You possibly can omit elements like cheese or nuts if they do not suit your dietary wants or style. Be at liberty to customise the salad to your liking.
Sure, you may put together a lot of the salad parts upfront. Cook dinner the pasta and roast the butternut squash forward of time. Retailer them individually in hermetic containers within the fridge. If you’re able to serve, merely mix all of the elements and add the dressing.
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Pairing
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Recipe
Get able to savor the flavors of fall with our autumn pasta salad! Roasted butternut squash, crunchy apples, candy cranberries, and nutty pecans, all come along with creamy feta and a zesty honey-Dijon dressing. Whether or not it is for a comfy autumn get-together or a tasty standalone meal, this salad captures the essence of the season in each mouthful. Simple preparation and make forward pleasant. Comes collectively in half-hour!
Elements
- 8 ounces pasta Akin to rotini or farfalle.
- 1 cup butternut squash Diced.
- 1 cup apple Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Diced.
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans Chopped. You possibly can substitute chopped walnuts.
- ½ cup feta cheese Crumbled.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to style
- Recent inexperienced onion or thyme optionally available
Directions
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Cook dinner the pasta based on the bundle directions. Drain and rinse with chilly water to chill it down. Put aside.
8 ounces pasta
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced butternut squash with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Unfold the squash on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast within the oven for about 15-20 minutes or till tender and barely caramelized. Let it cool.
1 cup butternut squash
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In a big bowl, mix the cooked pasta, roasted butternut squash, diced apples, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and crumbled feta cheese.
1 cup apple, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup pecans, ½ cup feta cheese
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In a small bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, Salt and pepper to style
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Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad.
Recent inexperienced onion or thyme
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Toss to coat every little thing evenly. Garnish with contemporary chopped inexperienced onion or contemporary thyme, if desired, for an additional burst of autumn taste. Chill the pasta salad within the fridge for at the least half-hour earlier than serving to permit the flavors to meld.
Diet
Energy: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 12g | Fats: 14g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Ldl cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 454mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2550IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2mg
