Description
Fall in love with these Autumn Glow Quinoa Bowls, a flavorful and nourishing dish that captures the essence of the season. This recipe features roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, hearty quinoa, and a creamy maple-tahini dressing, making it a perfect meal prep option or a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 medium butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1 medium apple, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or pecans (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2–4 tablespoons warm water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.
- In a bowl, massage the chopped kale with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- While the squash roasts, cook the quinoa according to package directions. Rinse under cold water for a fluffier texture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together tahini, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2-4 tablespoons of warm water until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more warm water if needed.
- Assemble the bowls by dividing the cooked quinoa. Top with roasted squash, massaged kale, diced apple, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds or pecans, if using.
- Drizzle generously with the maple-tahini dressing before serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, use sunflower seed butter instead of tahini in the dressing.
- Feel free to add cooked chicken, chickpeas, or other proteins for extra protein.
- Other seasonal vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes can be substituted for butternut squash.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or mint can be added for an extra flavor boost.
- This recipe is great for meal prep; store components separately and assemble just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch/Dinner
- Method: Roasting, Whisking, Assembling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg