This winter pasta salad recipe is loaded with autumnal veggies like butternut squash, kale and apples. It's a sweet and tangy easy side dish that's topped with candied nuts, unexpected cheddar and a beautifully simple maple dijon dressing.
Table of Contents
What is Winter Pasta Salad
Tumble into the cozy embrace of autumn with this scrumptious Winter Pasta Salad, a dish that’s as vibrant and comforting as a pile of freshly raked leaves.
Picture perfectly al dente pasta mingling with the sweet, roasted cubes of butternut squash and the hearty, crisp bite of fresh kale.
Toss in some juicy apple chunks for a burst of freshness, and let the symphony of flavors be uplifted by the crunch of candied nuts.
But wait, there's more!
The rich, creamy notes of unexpected cheddar add a depth of flavor that’s as surprising as the first cold snap of the season.
Drizzle generously with a lusciously smooth maple dijon dressing, and voilà, you’ve got a side dish that’s a harvest festival on a plate, sure to become a fall favorite at any table.
Major thanks to @KaleMeMaybe for the idea of making a winter-themed pasta salad.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Pasta - I used rigatoni but you could seriously use whatever shape you prefer. I like short, tubular shapes but feel free to use leftover noodles if you've got them!
- Kale - If you're not into kale, you could absolutely switch it up. Try using spinach, arugula or even radicchio.
- Roasted Butternut Squash - You can either use leftover butternut squash or use my delicious roasted butternut squash recipe that I always make!
- Apple - If you're not into apple, you can try using pear, roasted brussels sprouts or even celery for crunch.
- Candied Nuts - I'm using candied walnuts but you could use regular nuts or candied nuts - whatever you prefer!
- Lemon - If you don't have lemon juice, you can add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar from the dressing recipe.
- Unexpected Cheddar - I love this cheddar from Trader Joe's but you could switch it out for another cheese like feta, goat cheese or even mozzarella or burratra.
- Maple Dijon Dressing - I love my homemade dressing recipe as it really sweetens and brightens this hearty salad. You could use storebought dressing if youre into it though!
How to make it
Making this fall themed pasta salad is super easy!
All you need to do is prep the dressing and the butternut squash.
Then mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper if needed.
What goes with Winter Pasta Salad
I love making this delicious pasta salad to just have in the fridge for easy lunches.
I recommend pairing it with these turkey cheese sliders, some funeral sandwiches, or even this turkey cranberry sandwich.
It also goes really nicely with soup. Try this roasted feta soup with butternut squash, this chicken florentine soup, or this kale, white bean and sausage soup.
Frequently asked questions
How long does pasta salad last?
Wrapped up in the fridge like a snuggly fall sweater, your pasta salad stays delightfully fresh, keeping its cool for a solid 3 to 5 days!
Why is pasta salad better the next day?
Just like a fine wine, a pasta salad blossoms with flavor when given time; the noodles soak up the zesty dressing overnight, making every bite a deeper dive into deliciousness. It's a true picnic hero – the kind that gets better with a little patience and a lot of love, serving up even more 'mmm' with every forkful.
Is it best to make pasta salad the day before?
Absolutely! Whipping up your pasta salad the day before is like giving it an overnight flavor party, letting each noodle soak up the zesty dressing, and every veggie marinate to perfection for a next-level taste sensation at your shindig!
Save this recipe for later
If you don't want to forget about this recipe, there are a few things you can do!
- You can print the recipe card below!
- Tap that little heart icon over to the right...
- Or you can pin any image on this page to your fall themed pinterest boards.
And if you don't already, feel free to follow me on pinterest, instagram,youtube, facebook, and tiktok for tasty inspiration shared daily!
And if pinterest isn't really your thing, remember you can always scroll down to the bottom of this post and print the printable recipe card.
Recipe
Winter Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups Pasta cooked - I’m using rigatoni
- 1 cup Kale very finely chopped
- 2 cups Roasted Butternut Squash
- 1 large Apple roughly chopped
- ⅔ cup Candied Nuts
- 1.5 cups Unexpected Cheddar or another high quality cheddar
- 1 serving Maple Dijon Dressing
- ½ Lemon juiced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and toss.
- Finish with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and more salt and pepper if needed.
