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 comfortable autumn get-together or a tasty standalone meal, this salad captures the essence of the season in each mouthful. Straightforward preparation and make forward pleasant. Comes collectively in half-hour!
In search of a style of fall that is each simple 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.
Truthfully, I can not resist a great pasta salad, and this one has been a pleasure to develop, make, and revel in time and again. Not just for the flavors – it is extremely scrumptious – however for the gorgeous 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 may Love This Recipe
❤️ Straightforward to organize. With easy directions and readily-available components, this recipe is approachable for each novice and skilled cooks.
❤️ Nutritious components. This salad consists of nutritious components like butternut squash, apples, and pecans, offering a steadiness of nutritional vitamins, fiber, and protein.
❤️ Make-ahead. You may 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 provides 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 may select your favourite pasta form, akin to 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 comfortable spots.
- Apples. The selection of apples can affect the salad’s taste. Tart varieties like Granny Smith present a pleasant distinction to the sweetness of the squash and cranberries, whereas Honeycrisp apples provide a sweeter and crisper chew. We used Honeycrisp apples in ours. Be certain to cube them into bite-sized items.
- Dried cranberries. Dried cranberries contribute a candy and tangy factor to the salad. You should use sweetened or unsweetened cranberries primarily based 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 may 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 components. You may crumble it into the salad to make sure every chew accommodates 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 primarily based 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 nicely to the components.
- Salt and pepper. These seasonings are important for enhancing the flavors within the salad. Season to style, preserving in thoughts that feta cheese and salted nuts will add some saltiness.
- Contemporary herbs (elective). Contemporary 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 Pictures
Storage Directions
To make sure your autumn pasta salad stays recent and flavorful, correct storage is essential. You probably have leftovers, place it in an hermetic container to stop 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 could soak up 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 somewhat dressing and toss the salad to revive its unique style and texture.
Substitution Options
- Pasta. You should use any sort of pasta you like. Rotini and farfalle work nicely, however it’s also possible to go for complete 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 possibly can 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 need to use different apple varieties like Fuji, Pink Woman, or Gala primarily based in your style. Pears may also be an appropriate substitute in case you desire a special fruit.
- Dried cranberries. If you do not have dried cranberries, you possibly can 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 need to use almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts for the nutty crunch.
- Feta cheese. In the event you’re not a fan of feta, think about using blue cheese, cojita, or a vegan cheese different for a creamy, tangy factor. You can too omit the cheese altogether for a dairy-free model.
- Olive oil. Any good-quality oil, akin to avocado oil can substitute for olive oil.
- Apple cider vinegar. Purple wine vinegar or white wine vinegar can be utilized as options to apple cider vinegar for the same tangy impact.
- Honey. Maple syrup or agave nectar can substitute honey in case you’re in search of a sweetener different.
- Dijon mustard. Grainy mustard or common yellow mustard can be utilized instead of Dijon mustard. Modify the amount to fit your style.
- Contemporary herbs. If you do not have recent thyme or rosemary, you need to use dried herbs or omit them altogether. Contemporary parsley or basil may also be a terrific addition for a special taste profile.
Suggestions for Success
- Roast the butternut squash good. 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 suggests it is agency to the chew. Overcooking can result in a mushy texture within the salad.
- Steadiness the dressing. When getting ready the dressing, style as you go. Modify the honey, Dijon mustard, and seasoning to realize the proper sweet-tangy steadiness that fits your palate.
- Chill earlier than serving. Enable the salad to relax within the fridge for not less than 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 may add roughly of any ingredient, and it’s also possible to introduce different components like roasted hen, cubed ham, spinach, or kale for added protein or greens.
- Contemporary herbs for freshness. In the event you go for the elective recent inexperienced onion or thyme garnish, use it sparingly, as recent herbs might be potent. They add a burst of freshness and perfume to the salad, however somewhat goes a good distance.
- Reserve some components for garnish. Save just a few items of roasted butternut squash, apple, or nuts to sprinkle on prime of the salad for a lovely presentation.
- Take into account dietary preferences. You probably have dietary restrictions or preferences, do not hesitate to make use of gluten-free pasta, vegan cheese, or regulate the components to accommodate your wants.
FAQ
Sure, you possibly can simply add protein to this salad. Grilled or roasted hen, diced cooked ham, chickpeas, or tofu might be nice choices. Add them while you mix all of the salad components, or serve the protein on prime of the salad for a heartier meal.
Completely! This recipe is versatile. You may omit components 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 possibly can put together many 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. Whenever you’re able to serve, merely mix all of the components 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 comfortable autumn get-together or a tasty standalone meal, this salad captures the essence of the season in each mouthful. Straightforward preparation and make forward pleasant. Comes collectively in half-hour!
Substances
- 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 may 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
- Contemporary inexperienced onion or thyme elective
Directions
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Cook dinner the pasta in keeping with 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.
Contemporary inexperienced onion or thyme
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Toss to coat all the pieces evenly. Garnish with recent chopped inexperienced onion or recent thyme, if desired, for an additional burst of autumn taste. Chill the pasta salad within the fridge for not less than half-hour earlier than serving to permit the flavors to meld.
Vitamin
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
