Recipe Library
Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Quinoa Salad
Tender roasted butternut squash and juicy pear wedges bring caramelized sweetness and gentle heat, while ginger-garlic-turmeric quinoa soaks up every savory note. Peppery arugula and a tangy vinaigrette brighten each bite, creating a warm, satisfying grain salad that tastes just as good chilled the next day.

- Total
- 1 hr 40 min
- Prep
- 55 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Serves
- 6
Nutrition per Serving
- Calories
- 210
- Protein
- 3g
- Carbs
- 22g
- Fat
- 13g
- Fiber
- 4g
- Sugar
- 5g
- Sodium
- 309mg
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced peeled butternut squash (1/2-inch pieces)
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 firm ripe pear, sliced into 8 wedges
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup no-chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 scallion, sliced
- 3 tablespoons pear vinegar or cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced red onion
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- Minced fresh red chile to taste
- 2 cups baby arugula
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Toss squash in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and crushed red pepper. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes. Stir the squash, add pear and roast until browned and tender, about 15 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add ginger, garlic and turmeric; cook until sizzling, about 1 minute. Add quinoa and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in scallion and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and let cool.
- Whisk vinegar, onion, mustard, rosemary and chile in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Stir half the dressing into the quinoa. Add the pears and squash to the bowl with the remaining dressing; gently stir to coat. Let stand, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or refrigerate separately for up to 1 day.
- Fold arugula into the squash and pears and serve over the quinoa.