Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowl

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This roasted butternut-squash hummus bowl offers the perfect balance of earthy, nutty and vibrant flavors while delivering plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. You’ll fill up with a healthy dose of legumes, dark leafy greens and roasted vegetables. Use classic hummus or experiment with different flavored varieties as the base for this delicious dish.

an image of the Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowls
Credit:

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  • Butternut squash is packed with vitamins A and C, which help form infection-fighting white blood cells.
  • Spinach helps maintain heart health with its inflammation-fighting antioxidants and blood pressure–lowering minerals.
  • Spacing out veggies on the baking sheets makes them brown better and taste even more delicious.

Get ready to dive into a bowl of tasty goodness with this Roasted Butternut-Squash Hummus Bowl. It features a rich base of creamy, fiber-packed hummus topped with roasted butternut squash and baby spinach for a healthy bowl that offers vitamins and antioxidants that can help keep inflammation at bay. This bowl isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures that’ll have you coming back for more. Read on for our best tips and tricks, including ways to riff on the flavors in the bowl. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Be sure to spread your veggies out on the baking sheets, as they will brown better that way. Try to arrange them as close as possible to the edges of the pan, which get hotter. 
  • From classic hummus to a flavored variety, any hummus will work with this recipe. If you want to try your hand at making your own hummus, check out our healthy hummus recipes
  • To mix things up, use a different winter squash, like delicata or acorn squash. Swap the baby spinach for arugula or a hearty green like kale.

Nutrition Notes

  • Hummus helps keep you full and satisfied thanks to its duo of slowly digested plant protein and fiber. This combo of nutrients also stimulates gut hormones that slow blood glucose absorption, making hummus an excellent pick for stable blood sugar and weight management. 
  • Butternut squash is a great way to fortify your immune system. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, two nutrients that help form infection-fighting white blood cells, which work 24/7 to prevent illness. 
  • Spinach is one of the best vegetables for heart health. In addition to a cocktail of inflammation-fighting antioxidants, it also gives you blood pressure–lowering minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium.
an image of the ingredients to make the Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowl

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed (1-inch; about 6 cups)

  • 1 large red onion, cut into ¾-inch-thick wedges (about 3 cups)

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 tablespoons za’atar

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ cup unsalted raw pepitas

  • teaspoons paprika

  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 2 cups packed baby spinach

  • 3 cups hummus

  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F with oven racks in upper and lower thirds. Combine cubed squash, onion wedges, ¼ cup oil, 2 tablespoons za’atar and ½ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon salt in a large bowl; toss until evenly coated. Divide the mixture between 2 large rimmed baking sheets and spread in a single layer (do not wash the bowl). Roast until the squash is tender, rotating the pans front to back and top to bottom halfway through, about 25 minutes.

    an image of the squash, onion, and za'atar in a large bowl

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining ¼ cup oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup pepitas; cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1½ teaspoons paprika, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Transfer to a small bowl.

    an image of the pepitas cooking in a skillet

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  3. Transfer the roasted squash mixture back to the large bowl; stir in 2 cups baby spinach and let stand, undisturbed, until wilted, about 2 minutes.

    an image of the roasted squash, onion, and spinach being mixed together

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  4. Divide 3 cups hummus among 4 bowls and spread into an even layer. Top with the squash mixture, the pepita mixture and ½ cup feta.

    an image of the Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Bowls

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: about 2¼ cups

Calories 578, Fat 37g, Saturated Fat 7g, Cholesterol 8mg, Carbohydrates 51g, Total Sugars 7g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 14g, Fiber 10g, Sodium 685mg, Potassium 916mg

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this hummus bowl healthy?

    Yes! This bowl is packed with roasted vegetables and dark leafy greens, which offer plenty of vitamins to support your immune health, vision and more. The hummus is a great source of plant-based protein and fiber.

  • What is za’atar?

    Za’atar is an aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend that has a nutty, tangy and slightly herbal flavor. If you can’t find za’atar, you can make your own blend. Mix together dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac and lightly toasted sesame seeds.

EatingWell.com, December 2024

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.