Fall means busier schedules, so fast family-friendly weeknight meals like this simple Roasted Squash, Sausage and Apple One-Pan Dinner are so helpful to have on hand..
A mix of healthy ingredients and low calorie alternatives create a dish with an exceptionally sweet, and tasty, treat for dinner that even the young ones in your house will enjoy it..
So if you’re ready for fall colors and flavors, then throw a pan of this pumpkin spiced meal that will be sure to hit the spot..
Trust me, you won’t be disappointed..
“Roasted Butternut Squash With Apples And Turkey Kielbasa One-Pan Dinner”
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon, divided in half, apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks (about 1 to 1/2 pound)
2 to 3 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup, or less, light butter (I use Kerrygold or Smart balance light with omega 3)
2 tablespoonfuls of “Truvia Brown Sugar Blend” (Splenda makes a lower sugar, brown sugar blend also)
1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 small apples (or 2 large) cored and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks (I mix green and red)
1 pre-cooked Turkey Kielbasa, sliced (I use Hillshire Farms or Johnsonville)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, positioning the rack at above the mid level of the oven. Shake 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and mustard in a small jar..
2. Meanwhile, toss squash, sweet potatoes, melted light butter (or substitute), Truvia brown sugar blend, paprika, sea salt, 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, spices (cinnamon etc) and pepper in a large bowl to coat. Spread out on a large rimmed baking sheet..
3. Transfer squash to the oven and roast 10 minutes. Add apples & sliced sausage into the large bowl with melted butter and spices then toss to coat with the remaining liquid..
4. After 10 minutes remove baking sheet from oven and add the apple, sausage and any remaining liquid to the sheet. Return to the oven and roast, until the apples are softened and the squash is tender, about 18 to 22 minutes longer. Remove from the oven..
5. Drizzle the vinegar-maple-mustard mixture over the roasted mixture in the pan and toss to coat. Serve immediately..
Notes:
1. You can add other vegetables or squash types if desired. I will often add chopped carrots with the squash in step 2.
2. Some might prefer more or less of the spices, your personal preference, add more or less if desired or leave out if you don’t like a specific spice (say cloves or another)
3. Seen similar dishes which add a couple of handfuls of kale to their dishes—if you’re a Kale fanatic who loves adding the greens to a dish, then I would suggest adding it during step 4 with the apple & kielbasa..