This Roasted Pumpkin Salad is perfect for autumn and it proves that salads can be enjoyed all year round. A bed of leafy greens topped with beetroot, roasted pumpkin and creamy goat's cheese is a salad that will convince the biggest salad skeptics.
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When summer ends, we throw ourselves into all things pumpkin. There is so much more you can do with them than just carve them and put in your window.
Roasting is our favorite way to eat pumpkin, as it gets lovely and soft in the middle, but perfectly crispy on the outside, and this pumpkin salad recipe is the best way to use it.
Perfect as a meal in itself or as an impressive side dish.
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Goats Cheese and Pumpkin Salad Ingredients
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pumpkin - Read below for tips on cutting a pumpkin. You could also roast butternut squash and sweet potato.
- Lettuce - A mixture of butterhead, radicchio and rocket, however you can use any lettuce mixture you like. Use something like romaine or little gem for added crunch. Baby spinach is nice for an iron boost too.
- Onion - We roasted some red onion along with the pumpkin to add some flavor and extra colour.
- Beetroot - We used already roasted beetroot (not pickled) to save some time, but you could roast some yourself if you prefer.
- Pine nuts - These add lots of extra crunch to the salad with pumpkin. They are expensive though, so you could swap them for pecans, walnuts or flaked almonds.
- Dressing - We made our how mustard and balsamic dressing, however you could use a store bought one - honey and mustard dressing works well. An alternative dressing would be a nice creamy tahini dressing.
- Goat's Cheese - This just goes so well with the creamy pumpkin. You could swap it for Feta cheese, Stilton or Parmesan shavings (use an alternative to keep it vegetarian).
- Seasoning - Add salt and pepper to taste.
How to Make Pumpkin Salad
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: Put the pumpkin and red onion onto a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of the oil, paprika, cumin and salt and pepper. Mix well and put in the oven until the pumpkin is cooked through, but still a little tender, about 40-45 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add the lettuce and drizzle with the remaining oil, balsamic and mustard. Toss well so that all the lettuce is coated.
- Step 3: Add the cooked pumpkin and onion and the beetroot.
- Step 4: Transfer to a bowl and top with the goat's cheese and pine nuts.
How to Cut a Pumpkin
- Firstly, stabilise the pumpkin by slicing a little off the top and the bottom.
- Cut the pumpkin in half, and then in quarters so that it is easier to manage.
- Using a metal tablespoon, scrape down to remove all the seeds (but keep them) and the stringy flesh so you have a nice clean looking pumpkin.
- Carefully slice the skin off with a knife or use a vegetable peeler.
- Cut into 2 cm strips.
- Cut into cubes.
Pumpkin and Goats Cheese Salad Extra Tips
- To give this salad a protein boost, stir in some cooked chickpeas. Other beans like butter beans will work too. You could also add roast chicken.
- Love spicy food? Add a sprinkling of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
- You can swap the pine nuts for pecans, walnuts or flaked almonds.
- For some extra colour and flavor, add some pomegranate seeds on top before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is best eaten fresh, as the lettuce will get soggy after it is dressed if it is left too long. However, if you have leftover of the roasted pumpkin then it can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 2 days.
More Pumpkin Recipes
If you've tried this roasted pumpkin salad recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Goats Cheese and Pumpkin Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 400 g (14 oz) of Pumpkin - cut into 2cm cubes
- 1 Red onion - cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon of Olive oil
- 1 pinch of Sea salt
- 1 pinch of Ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon of Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon of Cumin
- 130 g (2 cups) of Lettuce
- 2 Beetroot - cooked and diced
- 30 g of Pine nuts
- 60 g of Soft goats cheese
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoon of Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Put 400 g of Pumpkin and 1 Red onion onto a baking tray with 1 tbsp of Olive oil, 0.5 tsp of Paprika, 0.5 tsp of Cumin and 1 pinch of Sea salt. Mix well and put in the oven until the pumpkin is cooked through, about 40-45 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add 130 g of Lettuce and drizzle with 2 tbsp of Olive oil, 1 tbsp of Balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp of Dijon mustard. Mix well so that all the lettuce is coated.
- Add the cooked pumpkin and onion and 2 Beetroot.
- Transfer to a bowl and top with 60 g of Soft goats cheese and 30 g of Pine nuts.
Recipe Tips
- Do give this salad a protein boost, stir in some cooked chickpeas. Other beans like butter beans will work too.
- Love spicy food? Add a sprinkling of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
- You can swap the pine nuts for pecans, walnuts or flaked almonds.
- For some extra colour and flavor, add some pomegranate seeds on top before serving.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Toni says
Such a perfect blend of flavors! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!
Alison says
Such beautiful fall flavors in this salad! I love how the roasted pumpkin pairs with the beetroot! Yum!
Wajeeha Nadeem says
Such a gorgeous salad! I made this yesterday, and it turned out so delicious!
Shannon says
This was great! The pumpkin and beet are such a lovely combination.
Kristen says
This is a wonderful salad! I'll definitely make it again!
Tara says
Such a wonderful salad! I love all that color and the variety of fall flavors. It comes together so easily too!
Nathan says
What a unique salad! I don't eat a lot of goat cheese but this is a great opportunity. Can't wait to try it out!
Tavog says
My kind of salad! Full of colors and umami flavors!
Emily says
This is such an amazing Fall salad! Love all the flavors in this and the combo of goat cheese and pumpkin. I'll be making this all season.
Angela says
What a fabulous fall salad! Love the flavor combo of the beets, pumpkin, and goat cheese. Definitely a favorite!
Toni says
I really loved the combination of flavors in this salad! Fantastic!
Diana Reis says
Such a gorgeous fall salad. I really love pumpkin and beets. The tangy goat's cheese really perks up the earthy flavors.
Jennifer says
I loveeee tangy goat cheese but have never paired it with pumpkin! I can't wait to dig into this salad that's perfect for fall!
Jenn says
Hellooooo delicious! This flavor combination is so epic and perfect for Fall!