Butternut Squash Kale Quinoa Bowl (Printable)
Caramelized squash, massaged kale, and fluffy quinoa topped with fragrant sage tahini for a perfect autumn grain bowl.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Roasted Vegetables
01 - 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Quinoa Base
05 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
06 - 2 cups water
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Kale
08 - 4 cups kale, stems removed, torn into bite-sized pieces
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Pinch of salt
→ Sage Tahini Dressing
11 - ⅓ cup tahini
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
14 - 2 tablespoons warm water (plus more as needed)
15 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
→ Garnishes
18 - ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
19 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 - Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - While squash roasts, combine quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Massage kale with olive oil and a pinch of salt in a large bowl until leaves become glossy and slightly softened, about 2–3 minutes.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, water, sage, salt, and garlic until smooth. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to achieve pourable consistency.
06 - Divide cooked quinoa between 4 bowls. Top with massaged kale, roasted butternut squash, and drizzle generously with sage tahini dressing. Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of warm roasted vegetables and cool creamy dressing hits every craving in one bite
- It keeps beautifully for meal prep and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
- Don't skip massaging the kale—it literally transforms the texture from tough to silky
- The dressing thickens as it sits, so add warm water right before serving for the perfect consistency
03 -
- Cut your squash into uniform cubes so everything roasts evenly at the same rate
- Toast your pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before serving to maximize their crunch