Autumn Harvest Bliss: Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing Recipe

Crisp autumn leaves dance across the landscape, mirroring the vibrant colors of this delightful fall salad with maple-lime dressing that promises a burst of seasonal flavor.

Hearty greens mingle with roasted butternut squash, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that capture the essence of the season.

Sweet maple notes blend seamlessly with tangy lime, adding a bright spark to every forkful of this colorful dish.

Toasted pecans provide a satisfying crunch that complements the tender roasted vegetables.

Pomegranate seeds scattered like tiny jewels add a pop of color and burst of freshness to the salad.

Each ingredient tells a story of autumn’s bounty, inviting you to savor the rich, warming flavors of the season.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds celebrate the magic of fall on a single plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 315 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes in Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing

• Butternut Squash: Sweet autumn vegetable that adds rich, caramelized flavor when roasted, selecting firm and heavy squash ensures best texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps create golden crispy exterior for squash, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance natural squash sweetness and provide balanced seasoning.

• Bow Tie Pasta: Playful pasta shape that catches dressing beautifully, select high-quality pasta for best texture.
• Baby Spinach: Tender leafy green that provides fresh, nutritious base, look for crisp and vibrant leaves.
• Dried Cranberries: Adds burst of tangy sweetness, select plump and glossy berries for maximum flavor.
• Pumpkin Seeds: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertone, toast for enhanced flavor complexity.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy element that offers tangy contrast, choose fresh and soft variety.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky dressing base, select cold-pressed variety.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds sharp, zesty kick and helps emulsify dressing, choose authentic French-style mustard.
• Maple Syrup: Introduces rich, deep sweetness, opt for pure maple syrup from Canada or Vermont.
• Lime Juice: Provides bright, citrusy freshness, select ripe, juicy limes.
• Fresh Thyme: Optional garnish that introduces subtle herbal note, use fresh sprigs for maximum aroma.

Tools Needed for Maple-Lime Fall Salad

• Baking Sheet: Large, flat pan for roasting butternut squash evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents squash from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Large Pot: For boiling pasta with plenty of water.
• Colander: To drain and rinse pasta quickly.
• Mason Jar: Perfect for mixing and storing salad dressing.
• Fork: Used for whisking dressing ingredients together.
• Large Serving Bowl: Combines all salad ingredients and allows easy tossing.
• Cutting Board: For cubing butternut squash safely.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife to chop squash into uniform cubes.

How to Make a Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing

• Butternut Squash Preparation

Warm your oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scatter butternut squash pieces across the sheet, ensuring they’re not crowded. Roast until golden and soft, about 20-30 minutes.

• Maple-Lime Sauce

Grab a jar and mix olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and fresh lime juice. Shake vigorously until everything blends smoothly.

• Pasta Magic

Boil water and cook bow tie pasta until tender. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.

• Salad Symphony

Combine roasted butternut squash, cooled pasta, pumpkin seeds, baby spinach, crumbled goat cheese, and cranberries in a large bowl. Drizzle with maple-lime sauce and gently toss. Sprinkle fresh thyme on top for a beautiful finish.

Flavor Boosting Tips for Maple-Lime Fall Salad

• Use high heat and give cubes plenty of space to ensure crispy, caramelized edges that add incredible texture and depth to your salad.
• Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for different sweetness levels, and experiment with apple cider vinegar instead of lime juice for a tangy twist.
• Prepare roasted squash, cooked pasta, and dressing separately up to two days in advance, keeping components refrigerated until ready to assemble for quick and easy meal prep.
• Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, crispy chickpeas, or seared tofu for a more substantial and satisfying meal option.
• Replace butternut squash with roasted delicata or acorn squash during peak autumn months, or substitute spinach with kale for a heartier green base that holds up well to warm ingredients.

Presentation Tips for Maple-Lime Fall Salad

• Cozy Comfort Plating: Serve this salad in large, rustic ceramic bowls that highlight the golden squash and vibrant greens, creating a warm autumn presentation.
• Seasonal Side Companion: Pair the salad with crusty whole grain bread or a slice of hearty sourdough to soak up the delicious maple-lime dressing and add extra texture.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the sweet and tangy flavors with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio that enhances the salad's delicate maple notes.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform this dish into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, seared salmon, or roasted chickpeas for additional protein and substance.

Save and Store Maple-Lime Fall Salad

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this fall salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate to maintain the crispness of spinach and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Dressing Separation Technique: Always store maple-lime dressing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. This method helps maintain freshness and allows quick flavor mixing when you shake before using.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare roasted butternut squash and cook pasta one day in advance. Chop vegetables and toast pumpkin seeds separately to keep ingredients fresh and crisp until final assembly.
• Temperature Transition Tips: Allow cold salad ingredients to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This gentle warming helps enhance the maple-lime dressing's flavors and creates a more enjoyable dining experience.

Vibrant Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Classic maple salad celebrates autumn’s rich harvest with crisp greens and roasted butternut squash. Maple-lime vinaigrette adds tangy sweetness you’ll enjoy drizzling over each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes
• 8 oz (226 g) baby spinach
• 8 oz (226 g) bow tie pasta
• 4 oz (113 g) goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup (150 g) pumpkin seeds, toasted
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 small lime, freshly squeezed
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prep Workspace: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless roasting and cleanup.
2. Roast Squash: Distribute butternut squash cubes across sheet, coat evenly with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring golden caramelized edges through strategic spacing during 20-30 minute roasting process.
3. Create Dressing: Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and lime juice in sealed container, whisking vigorously until smooth and integrated.
4. Cook Pasta: Boil water and cook bow tie pasta to al dente perfection, immediately cooling under cold water to preserve ideal texture and prevent overcooking.
5. Assemble Salad: Layer roasted butternut squash, cooled pasta, pumpkin seeds, baby spinach, crumbled goat cheese, and dried cranberries in expansive serving dish.
6. Finish and Serve: Drizzle maple-lime dressing across salad, gently tossing to ensure harmonious flavor distribution, optionally garnishing with fresh thyme leaves before presenting immediately to capture peak taste and textural qualities.

Notes

• Roast with Precision: Space squash cubes evenly on the baking sheet to ensure golden, caramelized edges without steaming or overcrowding.
• Dressing Technique: Shake the maple-lime dressing in a sealed container for smoother blending and easier emulsification of ingredients.
• Pasta Perfection: Immediately rinse cooked pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent a mushy texture, maintaining that ideal al dente bite.
• Flavor Balance: Layer ingredients strategically to create a harmonious mix of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements in every delightful forkful.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg