Name: An Easy Butternut Squash Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 1 12-oz package purchased butternut squash cubes (2 1/2 cups); 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 6 oz multigrain or whole-wheat bow tie; penne; or elbow pasta; 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup; 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 medium red apple; cored and sliced or chopped; 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries; 4 cups spring mix greens; 1/4 cup pine nuts; toasted

If you're looking for easy, healthy recipes, but you're tired of lettuce-based salads, this butternut squash pasta salad recipe will be a game-changer. Like other Mason jar salads, this recipe can be made in advance, and it's packed full of nutritious veggies. A healthy dose of pasta, along with butternut squash cubes, makes this option a huge step up from the stereotypical sad desk salad.

With nine grams of protein and seven grams of fiber, this is one recipe that'll keep you full and satisfied long after you eat it. And if you're getting tired of the same old salads, well, this will barely even feel like a salad at all. Get ready to meal prep this pasta salad, grab a Mason jar, and dig in!

Nutrition: 387 calories, 14 g fat (2 g saturated), 334 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 9 g protein

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 12-oz package purchased butternut squash cubes (2 1/2 cups)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
6 oz multigrain or whole-wheat bow tie, penne, or elbow pasta
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1 medium red apple, cored and sliced or chopped
1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries
4 cups spring mix greens
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

How to Make It

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a shallow baking pan with foil; coat foil with cooking spray. Add butternut squash, olive oil, paprika, salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper to pan; toss to coat. Roast squash 20 minutes or until tender, stirring once.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, syrup, mustard, salt, and the remaining 1/8 tsp pepper until smooth. Remove 1 tsp dressing to a small bowl; add apple and toss to coat. Add hot cooked pasta and dried cherries to remaining dressing; toss to coat. Divide greens among four pint jars. Top with pasta mixture, apple, roasted butternut squash, and pine nuts. Cover and chill up to 3 days.