Butternut Squash Spinach Skillet - tasty, healthy, nutritious, vegan / vegetarian, and ready in just 20 minutes. You'll LOVE the flavors of this pan-fried butternut squash recipe with baby spinach.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Vegetarian
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4side dish servings or 2 large dinner servings
½teaspoonground cumin(optional, for a smoky flavor)
2-4handfulsbaby spinachto taste
¼cupparsley leavesfinely diced
½tablespoonlemon juice(from 1 lemon wedge)
optional: 1-2 tablespoons hemp hearts or nutritional yeast
Instructions
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the cubed butternut squash and finely minced shallot and mix well. Use a spatula to evenly spread the cubed butternut squash throughout the skillet (it's OK if it doesn't all fit in one layer). Cover with a lid and allow to cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until the butternut squash starts to brown at the bottom
Add the minced garlic, salt, paprika, and cumin, and stir well. Cover, and allow to cook for 3-5 more minutes.
2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Stir the butternut squash, add the baby spinach, and cover for 2-3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir until the baby spinach is wilted. Add the lemon juice and parsley and stir. Season with more salt, if desired. Remove from heat.
2-4 handfuls baby spinach, ¼ cup parsley leaves, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt
Sprinkle with hemp hearts or nutritional yeast, if using. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
A few variation ideas:
Add spice with a pinch or two of cayenne pepper
Add a few pinches of curry powder
Serve it with a fried egg on top
Add some nuts for crunch. Toasted almonds or pine nuts would be fantastic
Add a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Add some sweetness and give it more of a “Fall recipe” feel by tossing in some dried cranberries at the end
Add some chopped fresh sage and/or thyme for another “Fall recipe” variation