A seasonal salad with roasted squash, crisp apples, creamy cheese, and toasted nuts, all tossed in a bright lemon thyme dressing. A refreshing and hearty autumn dish.
5 cups mixed greens (arugula, baby kale, or spinach)
2 cups butternut squash or sweet potato, cubed
1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
¼ cup red onion or shallots, thinly sliced
¼ cup goat cheese or feta, crumbled
¼ cup toasted pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds
½ cup cooked quinoa or wild rice (optional)
Lemon Thyme Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1½ tsp fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Toast nuts in a dry skillet until fragrant. Set aside.
Whisk together dressing ingredients in a jar or bowl until emulsified.
In a large bowl, combine greens, apple slices, roasted squash, onion, and quinoa (if using).
Add goat cheese and nuts. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to coat.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs or a squeeze of lemon.
Store components separately for freshness.
Swap in different fruits, nuts, or roasted vegetables as desired.
Add protein like chicken or chickpeas for a complete meal.