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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes - Salads

    By Carol Published: Oct 27, 2018 Modified: Mar 11, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Autumn Panzanella

    Jump to Recipe
    4.80 from 5 votes
    50 minutes
    Autumn Panzanella with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and spicy arugula makes a lovely light fall dinner, side salad or the perfect accompaniment for soup!

    Autumn Panzanella with sweet butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and spicy arugula makes a lovely light fall dinner, side salad or the perfect accompaniment for soup!

    Photo of Autumn Panzanella in wood bowl on dark blue background.

    Here's a twist on a classic Panzanella that's perfect for autumn!

    One of the things I love most about Italian cooking is Italians never seem to let anything go to waste.

    As I mentioned in this post for Whole-Grain Croutons with Thyme, Rosemary and Parmesan, I'm trying to be more mindful about food waste.  I've started a new feature at From A Chef's Kitchen called Waste Not where I'll explore ways to use up little odds and ends and creative ways to use vegetables and leftovers.

    Let's start with this Autumn Panzanella!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • What is panzanella?
    • How to make Autumn Panzanella:
    • Want more salad recipes that are a cut above all the rest?  Try my:
    • Autumn Panzanella
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
        • Dressing
        • Salad
      • Instructions 
        • Dressing
        • Salad
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    What is panzanella?

    Panzanella is typically a summery tomato and bread salad and a great way to use up day-old bread and overripe tomatoes.  Sometimes other vegetables are added such as cucumber and red onion.

    Close-up photo of Autumn Panzanella in wood bowl.

    This Italian-inspired Autumn Panzanella includes two ingredients that would often get tossed with the possibility of a third:

    • The croutons (made from day-old whole-grain bread)
    • Brussels sprouts leaves (that often fall off when being trimmed)
    • You could use the seeds from the butternut squash instead of the pumpkin seeds I used.  For this recipe, I used purchased pumpkin seeds I already had on hand.

    How to make Autumn Panzanella:

    • Make the Whole-Grain Thyme, Rosemary and Parmesan Croutons.  They should be crisp and dry on the outside but slightly chewy on the inside.

    Photo of whole-grain croutons on baking sheet.

    • Roast the butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.  When trimming Brussels sprouts, a couple of leaves always seem to fall off.  Save the better ones and toss them into a salad raw or as I've done here, I roasted them with the squash.  Or, simply slice a cup or so of Brussels sprouts and roast.

    Photo of butternut squash and Brussels sprouts on baking sheet after being roasted.

    • To mellow the onions a little bit, place them in the vinaigrette while roasting the vegetables.
    • Place the arugula, the warm vegetables, and the croutons in a large serving bowl.

    Photo of Autumn Panzanella before being mixed together.

    • Pour the vinaigrette over the croutons then toss everything together.
    • Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pumpkin seeds and a good dose of black pepper!

    Photo of Autumn Panzanella after being combined with cheese in wood bowl.

    • Serve this Autumn Panzanella and sit back and enjoy the accolades!

    Photo of Autumn Panzanella Salad in wood bowl with serving utensils.

    Want more salad recipes that are a cut above all the rest?  Try my:

    • French Lentil Salad
    • Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad
    • Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Honey-Balsamic Dressing
    • Kale Quinoa Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing
    Autumn Panzanella Salad - Overhead hero shot of salad in wood bowl on dark blue background

    Autumn Panzanella

    4.80 from 5 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Autumn Panzanella with sweet butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and spicy arugula makes a lovely light fall dinner, side salad or the perfect accompaniment for soup!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Side Dishes - Salads
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 506 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Rimmed Sheet Pan

    Ingredients
      

    Dressing

    • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste

    Salad

    • ½ small red onion - thinly sliced vertically
    • 1 small butternut squash - peeled, cubed and seeded (½-inch cubes)
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
    • 1-2 cups Brussels sprouts leaves or shredded Brussels sprouts
    • 1 container (5-ounce) baby arugula
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds - toasted if desired
    • Whole-Grain Croutons with Thyme

    Instructions
     

    Dressing

    • Whisk together red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in extra-virgin olive oil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

    Salad

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Place the onion in the salad dressing so it softens up slightly and some of the "bite" is removed while roasting the squash and Brussels sprouts. Set aside.
    • Place butternut squash cubes on a nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast for 10 minutes.
    • Add Brussels sprouts leaves (or shredded sprouts) to baking sheet, toss together and place back in the oven for 7-8 minutes or until squash is cooked and Brussels sprouts are slightly crispy.
    • Place croutons, arugula, squash and Brussels sprouts in a large serving bowl.
    • Pour the dressing (with the onions) over the croutons then gently toss the whole salad together.
    • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and pumpkin seeds. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Cook Time includes the time to make the croutons.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 846mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 20203IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

    More Side Dishes - Salads

    • Kale Quinoa Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing
    • 25 Best Beet Salad Recipes
    • Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Chickpeas
    • Creamy Cucumber Salad with Yogurt
    317 shares
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    Categories: Holiday Ideas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angell says

      October 30, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I found your website after searching for an Italian autumn salad to go with my stuffed shells. This salad was AMAZING.

      I loved the salad dressing, loved the combo of ingredients, the whole thing! And the croutons!!! Oh my goodness! Those are absolutely tasty! I’m looking forward to having the leftovers for lunch today. Adding turkey to it.

      I’ll add that I’ve been browsing you’re site and just loving it. New subscriber!! ❤️

      Reply
    2. Anonymous says

      December 26, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      November 21, 2018 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    4. Jacque Hastert says

      November 05, 2018 at 10:38 am

      This salad sounds amazing! I love all the ingredients and flavors that are in it.

      Reply
    5. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says

      November 04, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      Oh, I love panzanella salads! Your take on this for fall sounds delicious - I may just have to make this for dinner tonight!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        November 04, 2018 at 2:06 pm

        Hi, Kathryn, Thanks so much and hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      October 27, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars

      Reply

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