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Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey

Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey for Easy Weeknights


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  • Author: Chef Alma
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Delicious Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey recipe with step-by-step instructions.


Ingredients

Scale

Roasted squash:

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated for best flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 cups butternut squash (peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes)
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (I use Coombs Family Farms Grade A)

Couscous:

  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup couscous

Turkey and greens:

  • 1 1/2 tsp canola oil
  • 3 cups swiss chard (finely chopped, including stems)
  • 1 1/2 cups red onion (finely minced, about 1/4-inch pieces)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 lb ground turkey (use lean ground turkey for less grease)
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika adds a nice depth of flavor)

To finish:

  • Juice from 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). In a bowl, toss the diced and peeled butternut squash with canola oil, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the squash is well coated. Spread the squash cubes out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arranging them so the cubes do not touch each other. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes, then switch to broil and cook for an additional 3 minutes to caramelize. Remove from the oven and set the roasted squash aside.

2. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot. Place the couscous in a bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Cover the bowl with a plate or lid and let sit undisturbed for 7 minutes. After resting, fluff the couscous with a fork and cover until ready to serve. Optionally, add a touch of olive oil or a sprinkle of salt for extra flavor.

3. Heat the remaining canola oil (1 1/2 teaspoons) in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced red onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add the ground turkey, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir well and cook for 3 minutes, breaking up the turkey as it cooks. Then, add the finely chopped Swiss chard, stir, and cook for another 2 minutes or until the turkey is cooked through. Remove from heat and set the turkey mixture aside.

4. To complete the dish, assemble each plate with a portion of couscous, top with the turkey and chard mixture, and add roasted butternut squash around the edges or on top. Drizzle the juice from one lemon over everything right before serving for a vibrant finish.

Notes

For best flavor, use freshly grated nutmeg and squeeze the lemon juice at the table for a burst of citrus aroma.

Optional additions include a pinch of cayenne for heat or crumbled feta cheese on top for extra creaminess.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Roasting, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 1425