This easy roasted butternut squash salad is a vibrant medley of fall flavors with caramelized squash, crisp greens, sweet fruits, and toasted seeds and nuts.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the cubed butternut squash to a large bowl along with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss well.
Roast in the oven: Spread the squash cubes in a single layer on a parchment or aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping the pieces after 15 minutes. When the squash is fork-tender, remove the tray and let it cool for 10 minutes.Alternatively, cook in the air fryer: at 400°F for 10-11 minutes, shaking the basket after 8 minutes. Cool the squash for 10 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
Prepare the dressing
Add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and honey to a mason jar. Close the lid tightly and give it a good shake until the oil, vinegar, and honey have blended well. Keep it aside.
Assemble the Salad
Spread the salad greens on a large salad plate or bowl. Drizzle two tablespoons of dressing and toss everything gently. Evenly spread the roasted butternut squash cubes and chopped pears on top.
Now evenly spread feta crumbles, walnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate arils on top.
When ready to serve, drizzle another 2 tablespoons of the dressing onto the salad and toss gently. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Lettuce: I like using the pre-washed spring mix available in most grocery stores. Alternatively, use an equal quantity of arugula, baby kale, or baby spinach.
Butternut squash: Butternut squash works great for this recipe since it holds its shape after roasting. You can also use acorn squash, pumpkin, or sweet potato instead. Spaghetti squash will not work in this recipe.
Feta: Crumbled a block of feta or buy pre-crumbled. You can also replace it with crumbled goat cheese or shaved parmesan cheese.
Nuts: I love pairing walnuts with this salad, but you can also use slivered almonds or pecans instead. Skip the nuts to make this salad nut-free.
Make a meal: Top this salad with cubed grilled chicken for a filling and healthy meal.
Even Roasting: Ensure the butternut squash pieces are evenly sized for uniform roasting. This guarantees perfect caramelization and tenderness.
Dressing Dosage: Add the dressing sparingly at first, tossing gently, and gradually adding more to prevent overdressing the salad.
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates. If you follow any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.