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Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf

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Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf was originally published in October 2011 and was updated in September 2018. 

When I think of fall, I think of this Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf. A classic wild rice mix, dried cranberries and baked butternut squash cubes all wrapped in a zippy citrus dressing!  It’s earthy, sweet and a little tart and goes beautifully with roast turkey, pork or chicken… or as a vegetarian/vegan main dish, or for lunch the next day!

Baked butternut squash and wild rice pilaf in a bowl.

 

Now, since I believe in full disclosure, I am going to tell you that this wild rice pilaf is a little bit of work… but the payoffs are worth it!!

The most daunting part of this baked butternut squash recipe for most people is cutting the butternut squash! So since I get asked this question a lot, I’ve got a little tutorial for you!

How to Cut Butternut Squash

Step #1:

Peel the butternut squash! A good peeler is essential! I like the OXO peelers for this but any good, sturdy peeler will do.

Step #2:

Cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. As for cubing the squash, I like to cut it lengthwise into 3 sections and then cut each section into cubes.

Easy peasy!

Collage of photos showing how to cut butternut squash

Now that the squash is cut, the next question is…how long does it take to make these baked butternut squash cubes?

How long to Bake Butternut Squash:

  • For butternut squash cubes that are about 1 inch in size, you need to bake them about 25 minutes at 400 degrees. The larger your cubes, the longer the cooking time. I generally set my timer for 40 minutes for larger chunks and then check the cubes with a fork.
  • If you are baking just the halves, or even the bottoms you need to cook the squash for approximately 1 hour at 400 degrees. If you like less browning on your squash, you can reduce the heat to 375 degrees -and increase your cooking time to 1 1/2 hours.

So, now that you are an “expert” on butternut squash here’s…

How to make Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf:

Step #1: Cut the butternut squash as detailed above. Spread the butternut squash cubes on a sheet pan that you’ve sprayed with cooking spray. Drizzle with olive oil and toss. Bake in the oven until the butternut squash is tender and lightly browned. While the squash is cooking, saute the onions and cook the wild rice mix according to the package directions. Then add everything to a large bowl!

ingredients for baked butternut squash and wild rice pilaf

Step #2: Mix the dressing up and then drizzle it over the wild rice, baked butternut squash cubes, toasted pecans and cranberries and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings. Pour it into a large bowl and serve!

Baked Butternut Squash and wild rice pilaf in a bowl.

This Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf not only tastes delicious but is very versatile.  Put the extras (if you are smart enough to make extra and I’m telling you now, DO IT!) in the refrigerator for a great wild rice pilaf salad for lunch the next day. Speaking of which… if you’re thinking of making this for the holidays, great choice! You can make everything ahead of time. Just mix everything together before serving!! So, the bit of time you invest making this will pay off during the week… leaving you more time to enjoy the fall colors or snuggle up in a sweater with a good book (hey, a girl can dream, can’t she??)!

Other Baked Butternut Squash Recipes:

Roasted Butternut Panzanella salad with Sherry Vinegar

Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash Dip

Israeli Couscous Stuffed Butternut Squash Bowls

 

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would love for you to leave me a comment and a rating!

Baked Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf Recipe

5 from 7 votes
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Butternut Squash and Cranberry Pilaf
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

When I think of fall, I think of this Butternut Squash, Cranberry and Wild Rice Pilaf. Earthy, sweet and a little tart, it is the perfect side dish for roast turkey, pork or chicken... or as a vegetarian main dish, or for lunch the next day!

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked butternut squash cubes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 395 kcal
Author: Nancy
Ingredients
  • 1 cup wild rice mix
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 1/2 cups butternut squash cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 large onion cut into 1/2 inch dice
  • 1 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3 Tbsp. canola oil
  • 1/4 cup minced italian parsley
  • 1 cup citrus dressing
  • Citrus Dressing:
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/4. tsp cardamon
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1/4 lemon olive oil or 1/4 cup olive oil with zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
  1. Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  3. Add the butternut squash and toss with 1 Tbsp. canola oil.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Roast squash for 20 - 25 minutes or until softened and slightly caramelized.
  6. Remove from oven.
  7. While squash is roasting, combine the stock and rice in a large saucepan.
  8. Cover and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  9. While rice is cooking, heat a large saute pan over medium high heat.
  10. Add the 2 Tbsp. of canola oil. Add the chopped onions and saute for about 6 minutes until translucent.
  11. Reduce heat and continue to cook onions until slightly caramelized. Remove onions from the pan and set aside.
  12. Add pecans to saute pan and cook over medium heat, until toasted - watch closely so they don't burn!.
  13. Add the cooked rice, butternut squash, onions and dried cranberries.
  14. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the citrus dressing.
  15. Stir. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more dressing if needed.
  16. Garnish with minced parsley if desired. Serve!
  17. Citrus Dressing:
  18. Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a small bowl.
  19. Whisk to combine.
  20. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
  21. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Recipe Notes
  • I have used Lundberg, Trader Joe's,  and  NearEast Wild rice blends in this dish and they all worked beautifully. 
  • If making this ahead of time to eat over 2 - 3 days, only add enough pecans for the amount you are serving. If the pecans are left in the pilaf, they will get soft due to the moisture! 
  • Depending upon the size of your butternut squash, you will probably have extra squash. This recipe is pretty flexible and if you like butternut squash you can certainly add more to the recipe! 

 

Nutrition Facts
Butternut Squash and Cranberry Pilaf
Amount Per Serving
Calories 395 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 320mg 13%
Potassium 408mg 12%
Total Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 19g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin A 82.6%
Vitamin C 25.9%
Calcium 5.1%
Iron 10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Comments

  2. Oh no… I made this recipe a few times last autumn and came back to make it again but it has disappeared! I might cry… it is soon good! Help! 🙂

    Reply

  3. Sounds like a great combination of flavors. I’ve started cooking with butternut squash a lot more recently and am always looking for different recipe to incorporate it into. Have never made wild rice though — am curious to see how it tastes!

    Reply

  4. Just made this and am eating as I type. Absolutely delicious! It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel so good to be smack dab in the middle of fall 🙂

    Reply

  13. What a colorful and flavorful dish, Nancy. I’m always willing to spend a little extra time on a dish if it means that it’s going to taste great. If it stretches across a couple of meals, that’s even better. By the way, I think your photos are more and more beautiful every time I visit.

    Reply

  15. Not only do I love to Pilaf, but you have helped me solve a mystery. Someone left a Napkin at my house at some food event we had here. It looks like it was yours as it is a perfect match in the picture! GREG

    Reply

  20. It doesn’t feel at all like fall here, but we do have butternut squash at the farmers’ market. I love this mix of flavors and textures. This is a beautiful dish for fall!

    Reply

    • Thanks Lisa! I know – checked weather for Dallas next week (get to see my baby boy – WOO HOO!!) forecast is for a toasty 87 degrees…

      Reply

  23. Oh, how colorful! And you have some of my favorite flavors in this pilaf. I do something similar to this for Thanksgiving stuffing so I’m sure I’d be a fan of your recipe as well.

    Reply

  24. SO about this rain today. It’s sent both my husband and I in a tail spin. We both want to sit on the couch drinking hot chocolate eating junk food watching movies. This rice pilaf would be a much better choice, that’s for dang sure! It looks fab!

    Reply

  27. wow – it really is fall; cranberries and butternut squash. It doesn’t get more “harvesty” than that. I love the idea of incorporating it into your rice – something I need to keep in the back of my food brain! Looks delish – Nancy. And how ironic – it rained today!

    Reply

    • I know!! I love adding veggies/fruit to grain dishes – another great way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into the diet – love how they lighten the grains!!!

      Reply

  28. This looks like the perfect dish for today… and you say it’s a lot of work – but it’s not – a roasted squash and some wild rice and a sauté pan! Bon appetite!

    Reply

    • Thanks Lucy!! You are right – it really isn’t but it does look that way.. totally pays off though if you get a couple of meals out of it!!

      Reply

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