A bed of fluffy couscous topped with roasted chunks of butternut squash, crispy bacon bits, and nuts. Served with a tangy vinaigrette.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Couscous Salad

Name: Roasted Butternut Squash and Couscous Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: butternut squash, 1 small peeled and cubed; couscous, 1/2 cup; pecans, 1/4 cup; bacon, 2 slices diced; apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons; maple syrup, 1 tablespoon; olive oil, 1 tablespoon; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style American

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: January 09, 2023

This recipe is hearty and perfect for chilly weather. It features a seasonal ingredient, butternut squash, which is roasted to perfection and combined with couscous and a tangy vinaigrette. Topped with crispy bacon bits and pecans for texture. The vinaigrette is made using apple cider vinegar and maple syrup, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish.

Ingredients (for 2)

Butternut squash - 1 small - peeled and cubed
Couscous - 1/2 cup
Pecans - 1/4 cup
Bacon - 2 slices - diced
Apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons
Maple syrup - 1 tablespoon
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt - - to taste
Pepper - - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️👉🔥

Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C.
Step 2 - 🥣👉🍲🎉

In a mixing bowl, toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3 - 🥦👉🔥🍴

Spread the squash pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and tender.
Step 4 - 🍚👉🍲

While the squash is roasting, cook the couscous according to the instructions on the package.
Step 5 - 🍳🥓👉🍲

In a small pan over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy and transfer the bacon bits to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
Step 6 - 🥄👉🥣🥗

Mix the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup in a small bowl to make the dressing.
Step 7 - 🥣+🥗👉🍲🍜

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked couscous with the butternut squash. Toss with the vinaigrette dressing and toasted pecans.
Step 8 - 🍴🥗👉2️⃣🍽️

Divide the salad between two plates, and top with the crispy bacon bits.

Additional

You can add some dried cranberries for a pop of color and some extra sweetness. To make it vegan, simply omit the bacon bits and use vegetable stock to cook the couscous.