4.8 from 72 votes
Roasted Butternut Squash Orzo Salad
The Roasted Butternut Squash Orzo Salad combines tender roasted butternut squash chunks with cooked orzo pasta, fresh spinach, crumbled goat cheese, crunchy pepitas, dried cranberries, and chopped red onion. Tossed in a cinnamon-spiced vinaigrette with red wine vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and garlic, it offers a balanced mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors alongside varied textures, making it a satisfying cold salad option for lunches or side dishes.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
305 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut in 1-inch chunks, medium
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo
- 5 oz spinach
- 4 oz goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup Pepitas
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup onion red, chopped
For the dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the squash on a large baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss until well coated. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the squash is tender, turning once with a spatula.
- While the squash is roasting, cook the orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well.
- Pour the cooked orzo into a large bowl. Add the roasted butternut squash, spinach, goat cheese, pepitas, and dried cranberries.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), mustard, garlic, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
305kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
7mg
(2%)
Sodium
80mg
(3%)
Potassium
529mg
(11%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
11775IU
(236%)
Vitamin C
25mg
(28%)
Calcium
95mg
(10%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 305
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 305kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 80mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 529mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 11775IU | 236% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.