Go Back
roasted butternut squash with ground turkey

Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey

Delicious Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Prep Time 22 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 7 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1425 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the roasted squash:

  • 4 cups butternut squash, diced and peeled
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the couscous:

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the turkey and greens:

  • 1 1/2 tsp canola oil
  • 1 1/2 cups red onion, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups Swiss chard, finely chopped

To finish:

  • juice from 1 lemon

Instructions
 

  • 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.
  • 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. I like to add just a touch of olive oil or a sprinkle of salt to the couscous for extra flavor, but that's optional!
  • 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.
  • To complete the dish, assemble each plate with a portion of couscous (from Step 2), top with the turkey and chard mixture (from Step 3), and add roasted butternut squash (from Step 1) around the edges or on top. Drizzle the juice from one lemon over everything right before serving for a vibrant finish. For a more authentic flavor, I like to squeeze the lemon juice right at the table so everyone can enjoy that fresh citrus aroma.