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A rustic bowl of roasted butternut squash orzo with feta cheese, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh thyme.

Roasted Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Cranberries

A cozy, autumn-inspired Mediterranean side or main course featuring sweet caramelized roasted butternut squash and crisp apples, tender orzo pasta, salty Greek feta, tart dried cranberries, and toasted pecans tossed in a silky homemade maple-cider EVOO dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 340

Ingredients
  

For the Roasted Squash & Apple:
  • - 1 small Butternut Squash peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, ~3-4 cups
  • - 1 crisp Apple such as Honeycrisp or Fuji, cored and diced
  • - 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • - 1/2 tsp Sea Salt or to taste
  • - 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
For the Pasta & Mix-ins:
  • - 1.5 cups Dry Orzo Pasta
  • - 0.5 cup Real Greek Feta Cheese crumbled
  • - 0.5 cup Dried Cranberries
  • - 0.5 cup Pecans roughly chopped and toasted
  • - 2 tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves or chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
For the Maple Cider Dressing:
  • - 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • - 1.5 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • - 1 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup or raw honey
  • - 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • - 1 clove Garlic minced

Method
 

Preheat Oven & Prep Sheet:
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or leave unlined.
Roast Vegetables & Apple:
  1. In a large bowl or directly on the baking sheet, toss the cubed butternut squash and diced apple with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread into a single layer and roast for 25–30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until squash is fork-tender and caramelized around the edges.
Cook the Orzo:
  1. While squash roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry orzo pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain thoroughly in a fine-mesh colander and toss with a light drizzle of olive oil to prevent clumping.
Make the Dressing:
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until fully emulsified.
Assemble the Dish:
  1. In a large serving bowl, combine warm cooked orzo, roasted butternut squash and apples, and dried cranberries. Drizzle maple cider dressing over top and toss gently.
Finish and Serve:
  1. Fold in toasted pecans and crumbled Greek feta cheese gently right before serving so cheese stays intact. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme or parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

- Make-Ahead Tip: You can roast the squash and prepare the dressing a day in advance. Assemble warm or cold before serving.
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute toasted pecans with raw or toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas).
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.