Fall Harvest Pasta Salad
This cozy yet fresh Fall Harvest Pasta Salad features roasted vegetables, crisp apples, pasta, and a maple Dijon vinaigrette. It's a colorful, seasonal favorite perfect for lunch, dinner, or holiday gatherings.
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- large pot
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- strainer
- Chef's knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or other short pasta)
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Gala)
- 1 cup kale or arugula, chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for roasting)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme or fresh thyme leaves
- ¼ cup olive oil (for dressing)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt (for dressing)
- ½ tsp black pepper (for dressing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed squash with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Roast for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cool water. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to make dressing.
- While pasta is still slightly warm, toss it with half of the dressing to absorb flavor.
- Add roasted squash, apples, kale, cranberries, feta, and nuts to the pasta. Toss gently to combine.
- Drizzle with remaining dressing just before serving. Toss again and garnish with herbs if desired.
Notes
Dress the salad twice—once while warm and again before serving—for deep flavor and brightness. Customize with goat cheese, sweet potatoes, arugula, or toasted nuts. Keeps well for up to 4 days refrigerated.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 9200IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2.2mg