Delicious Autumn Harvest Quinoa Salad for a Cozy Season
Introduction
Autumn is the perfect time to savor dishes that highlight the flavors of the season—think sweet roasted vegetables, crisp apples, and crunchy nuts. This Delicious Autumn Harvest Quinoa Salad for a Cozy Season is a vibrant, all-in-one meal. With earthy quinoa as a base and tossed with a medley of fall produce, this salad delivers warmth, nutrition, and a celebration of seasonal abundance. It’s ideal for a cozy dinner, a healthy lunch, or as a festive side at your next gathering.
Why This Quinoa Salad is an Autumn Favorite
What makes this recipe truly special is its blend of textures and flavors. Nutty quinoa meets caramelized roasted squash and Brussels sprouts, accented by tart cranberries and sweet apple slices. Toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch, while a maple dijon dressing brings all the elements together in harmony. This salad is hearty yet light, ensuring everyone at the table returns for seconds.
Preparing the Vibrant Autumn Ingredients
Start with prepped and cubed butternut squash and halved Brussels sprouts for quick roasting—this intensifies their flavors and tenderizes them to perfection. Cook the quinoa until fluffy, let it cool, then add in freshly diced apples, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. The warm maple dijon vinaigrette is the secret weapon, coating every bite with sweet, tangy notes that epitomize fall comfort.
Assembling the Perfect Autumn Harvest Quinoa Salad
Assemble by spreading the cooked quinoa on a serving platter, then a generous layer of your roasted vegetables, followed by the chopped apples, pecans, and cranberries. Drizzle the warm dressing over, then give everything a gentle toss just before serving. For added flair, garnish with crumbled feta or fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestions for This Cozy Season Salad
This salad is versatile enough to star as a main course or complement roasted meats, hearty soups, or breads. It travels well, making it a lunchtime favorite. Serve it slightly warm for maximum flavor, or enjoy it cold for a refreshing midday meal.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving contains approximately 340-380 calories, packed with plant-based protein, slow-digesting carbs, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Rich in fiber and healthy fats, it’s delicious and nourishing!
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list, sorted by aisle—perfect for stress-free grocery trips and seamless meal planning all season long!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium pot, bring quinoa and water (or broth) to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 more minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
- While quinoa cooks, toss cubed squash and halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and golden.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the maple-dijon dressing. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl or platter, combine cooled quinoa, roasted vegetables, diced apple, cranberries, and pecans. Pour dressing over and toss gently. Top with feta, if using.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Enjoy warm or cold!
Weekly Meal Planning
This Delicious Autumn Harvest Quinoa Salad is meal prep friendly, holding up beautifully for several days and making lunchtime a breeze. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal plan to generate comprehensive shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned recipes.
Planning Benefits:
- Auto-calculates total required quantities across meals for the week
- Keeps your grocery list organized by department
- Prevents accidental duplicate purchases
- Simplifies weekly lunch or dinner prep
Pro tip: When combining this salad with other autumn-inspired meals, schedule your recipes to easily track overlapping items (like olive oil or nuts), reducing waste and streamlining your routine.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
