Description
This Fall Harvest Pasta Salad with Cranberries is a vibrant and hearty dish featuring roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, tangy cranberries, and creamy feta all tossed in a maple Dijon dressing the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh autumn flavor.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
12 oz (340 g) short pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)
1 ½ cups roasted butternut squash (cubed)
1 small apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (toasted)
½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
2 cups baby spinach or kale, roughly chopped
2 tbsp olive oil (for roasting veggies)
Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Maple Dijon Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside.
2. Toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
3. Toast pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted squash, apple, cranberries, nuts, spinach (or kale), and feta. Pour dressing over the top and toss gently until evenly coated.
6. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for 30 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Notes
🍂 Tips:
– For a vegan version, skip the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
– Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
– Great for meal prep — stays fresh up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Salad, Pasta, Fall Recipes
- Method: Boiled, Roasted
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Fall Harvest Pasta Salad, Cranberry Pasta Salad, Butternut Squash Salad, Thanksgiving Side Dish, Maple Dijon Dressing