Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2024)

This butternut squash orzo is seasoned with sage and brown butter. Creamy feta cheese adds a delicious tang. A unique side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner menu or add chicken to make it a complete meal any day. This dish is similar to a risotto but made with pasta in place of rice. Super easy to make! Just 6 ingredients!

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Do you see that very large casserole dish of velvety roasted butternut squash, orzo, feta and sage up there? Did you see the size of it? Yeah, I could and eat that entire dish. No shame. It's really that good. Like, GOOOOOOOOOOD.

★ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ★

An easy yet delicious side dish

It's not often I find a recipe that has a short ingredient list like this that is full of rich, creamy flavor. So when I do... I eat. It. All.

There are so many things to love about this simple butternut squash orzo recipe that I'm going to list them out.

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (1)

1. Roasted butternut squash is like eating a tiny bite of fall. It's a bit sweet, creamy and earthy.

2. It's healthy! With a hearty dose of vitamin C, butternut squash is a perfectly delicious way to prep for cold season.

3. Orzo has twice as much protein as rice, so it fills you up for longer.

4. It's a perfect and super easy Thanksgiving side dish.

I could go on about how much I love feta and how it perfectly compliments the sweetness of the butternut squash and how shallots are the beautiful marriage of onions and garlic but I'll spare you and just show you some pretty photos with a few tips...

★ Tips & FAQs ★

How to get more flavor from dried sage.

Add sage when you sauté. The oil re-hydrates and allows the flavor of the herb to really come alive. This is important to remember when working with any dry herbs.

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2)

What makes Feta cheese taste different than other cheeses?

Feta cheese is made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. However, most grocery stores make their feta with cow's milk. So, if you want a true feta flavor, try visiting a specialty cheese shop.

You may also get better results if you crumble the feta yourself. It's an extra step but pre-crumbled just like pre-shredded cheeses, are often coated with an anti-caking powder to prevent the pieces from sticking together. This translates to a more powdery, less flavorful cheese that you need more of the achieve the same flavor. So you can save money and calories and use less cheese when you buy blocks of cheese. If crumbled is more convenient though, I totally understand and buy it myself most times because I get lazy. 😉

What's the difference between a shallot and an onion?

A shallot grows in clusters not a single bulb and is slightly sweeter than an onion with a bit of a garlic taste to it. If you can't find one at the store (they are small and usually come in a bag of several) or you just don't have one handy, then you can use a combination of onion and minced garlic as a substitute. You'll just want to use a very small onion, or half of a larger onion.

The thing I love most about shallots though is their purple color! It looks so pretty in this dish so it's worth it to try to find one if you can!

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (3)

How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven

You can start with a whole butternut squash, or pre-cubed butternut squash for this recipe. You can typically find cubed butternut squash next to the snack packaged broccoli florets, snap peas, etc.

If you're starting with a whole butternut squash, simple cut it in half length-wise:

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (4)

scoop out the seeds:

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (5)

and then place it face down on the baking sheet adding a bit of water to the baking sheet to keep squash moist while cooking.

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (6)

This butternut squash orzo dish is really easy to make.

I honestly like to cheat and use the cubed squash so I don't have to cut or seed a whole squash. However, its still an easy recipe even if you're starting with a whole squash.

Total there are just 7 ingredients!

Making this again and want to try a variation?

Here are a few delicious ways to change this dish up a bit:

• Try adding in spinach! Throw in a handful or two of fresh spinach leaves when you're cooking the shallots. They just need to wilt a little and then they'll stir in perfectly.

• Add some rotisserie chicken or sausage and it's a complete meal in one dish.

• Try using risotto instead of orzo.

What is the difference between risotto and orzo anyway?

Risotto is actually a rice. Orzo is a pasta. “Risotto” refers to the method of cooking rice where you basically infuse the rice with flavor, typically by cooking it in broth.

Orzo on the other hand is an actual product you can buy. It's not a grain like rice. Orzo is made just like any other type of pasta, typically with flour and egg. Orzo is shaped like rice so the texture is very similar.

Since both are so similar, you can use either one to make this recipe. I've noticed that the orzo holds its shape better and doesn't crumble or get as overly saturate as rice can. It's also easier to cook than rice. However, if you have an egg or gluten allergy, rice would make an excellent substitution for orzo in this dish and would also qualify this dish to be called “butternut squash risotto.” So now you know!

Do you need a casserole dish to make this?

Not really. This can be prepared on the stove top then transferred to a large serving bowl. I prefer to serve mine in an oven-safe casserole dish though so that I can pop it in the oven to keep it warm. You could also keep this warm using a crockpot.

I really like the presentation of food in a white dish though and that's why I typically serve my side dishes using my favorite Corningware casserole dish.

The 2.5 qt dish is a good size for this recipe, leaving room to spare for scooping without a mess. The set is a good price and the large dish comes with a glass lid so it looks great on the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Thanksgiving Leftover Idea!

This butternut squash orzo pairs so nicely with smoked turkey. Just shred any leftover smoked turkey you have and toss it into this butternut squash orzo. The addition of turkey makes this into a complete meal in just one step and the flavor will blow your mind! By the way, if you've never smoked a turkey before, check out this how to smoke a turkey tutorial. It's super easy but you will need a smoker.

Make it a chicken casserole for dinner!

By just adding shredded rotisserie chicken, this becomes a complete dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights.

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This recipe for butternut squash orzo was featured on Merry Monday, Thanksgiving Recipe Round up, and !

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (7)

Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage

Author: Angela G.

This butternut squash orzo is seasoned with sage and brown butter. Creamy feta cheese adds a delicious tang. A unique side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner menu or add chicken to make it a complete meal any day. This dish is similar to a risotto but made with pasta in place of rice. Super easy to make! Just 6 ingredients!

4.8 from 12 reviews

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Course: Dinner, Sides

Cuisine: American

Skill Level: Easy

Recipe Type: Casseroles, Fall, Memorial Day, Pasta, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 Servings

Yield: 6 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash or bag of cubed butternut squash
  • 16 oz orzo
  • 4 chicken or vegetable bullion cubes
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 large shallot diced
  • 1 teaspoon sage
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

  • Cut butternut squash in half and remove seeds. Place face down on baking sheet. Add about ¼" of water to baking sheet. Bake at 400˚ for about 25-30 minutes or until squash is very soft. Cool then peel away outer skin and slice into bite-sized chunks.

  • While squash is baking, cook orzo according to the package but add chicken bullion to the water for additional flavor. When done, drain and set aside.

  • In a pan, melt butter and add diced shallots. Cook over medium heat until shallots as transparent. Stir in sage.

  • Return drained orzo to the pot it cooked in, add in butter and shallots then lightly toss in cubed butternut squash and feta cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to casserole dish and serve warm. Or refrigerate and reheat in oven prior to serving.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 8178IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg

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Butternut Squash Orzo with Feta and Sage - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place squash cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast until almost completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Turn cut-side up and roast until very tender and beginning to dry out a bit on top (but not brown).

How to cook butternut squash Jamie Oliver? ›

For a basic butternut squash recipe, halve the squash, scoop out the seeds and chop into chunks. You don't have to remove the skin — it will go soft and sweet as the squash cooks — just make sure you wash it well before cooking. Roast at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and soft.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

What is orzo made of? ›

What Is Orzo Made From? Orzo is made from semolina, a coarser, often golden color flour that comes from durum wheat and has a high gluten content. But don't be confused — orzo isn't a whole grain, although you can purchase a whole-wheat version.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How does Rachael Ray cook butternut squash? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and drizzle with EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and fresh nutmeg and roast until just tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

Should butternut squash be peeled before roasting? ›

Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender.

How to hack butternut squash? ›

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

Why is my roasted butternut squash mushy? ›

Squashes behave very differently when cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Generally, a squash that is roasted in the oven is going to have a much softer texture, one that can get mushy if mixed with other ingredients, but making it ideal for a purée, soup, or being mashed.

Do you cook butternut squash cut side up or down? ›

After your squash is cut in half, scoop and discard the seeds, then roast the butternut squash with the skin on, until fork tender. You can roast the butternut squash cut side down or cut side up, you will get a more caramelized squash when roasted cut side down.

Which is healthier orzo or pasta? ›

Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. Although its appearance resembles grains of rice, orzo is actually made from a specific type of flour called semolina. Since orzo is a type of pasta, the health benefits of orzo and pasta made from the same ingredients are the same.

Is orzo healthier than rice or pasta? ›

Rice and orzo contain a significant amount of nutrients like protein and carbs; orzo has a higher concentration of these two nutrients. These nutrients help replenish the body's energy and heal the tissues from within. Therefore, a higher concentration of this makes orzo the better option.

How do you keep orzo from getting mushy? ›

Boil the orzo about 10 minutes or until it has a firm, chewy texture, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. Drain orzo in a colander. For the best flavor and texture, serve the orzo immediately after cooking.

What is the cooking method for butternut squash? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the squash cubes on the baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper. Roast 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

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