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Fall pasta salad with roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, apples, and goat cheese in large white serving bowl

Fall Pasta Salad with Butternut Squash and Brussels

A colorful autumn pasta salad featuring roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, crisp apples, and creamy goat cheese tossed with maple dijon vinaigrette
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rotini pasta dry, any short pasta works
  • 2 cups Brussels sprouts diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 cups butternut squash diced into 3/4-inch cubes, pre-cut to save time
  • 2 cups apple diced into 3/4-inch pieces, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped, or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for roasting vegetables
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 oz goat cheese crumbled at room temperature, or feta cheese
  • 0.25 cup dried cranberries optional
  • 0.33 cup extra-virgin olive oil for dressing
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt for dressing
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper for dressing

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl for dressing
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss diced butternut squash and Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes until edges start turning golden brown.
  2. While vegetables roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta using a colander, reserving 2 tablespoons pasta water, then toss with either a drizzle of olive oil or the reserved pasta water to prevent sticking. Let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
  3. After initial 20 minutes of roasting, push vegetables to one side of baking sheet and add diced apples to the cleared space. Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes until everything is fork-tender and caramelized. Check at 30 minutes total - squash should pierce easily with a fork, Brussels sprouts should have golden-brown edges, and apples should be tender but still hold their shape.
  4. Make maple dijon vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl for about 1 minute until smooth and emulsified.
  5. Once roasted vegetables have cooled for 5-10 minutes until just warm to the touch, combine pasta, roasted vegetables, room temperature goat cheese, and dried cranberries in a large bowl. Pour dressing over everything and toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep extra dressing and goat cheese separate if meal prepping. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. Let sit out 15-20 minutes before serving if refrigerated. Can add shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled salmon, or chickpeas for extra protein.