Arugula Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash

Peppery arugula, sweet delicata squash, and tempeh bacon, all topped with a warm pomegranate vinaigrette. It's one of our favorite salad combinations! It’s an Arugula Salad unlike any other, guaranteed to become an instant go-to fall and winter salad.

This recipe for the best arugula salad is a flavorful combination that we repeatedly return to. It’s delicious enough that we’ll enjoy it as a main dish when craving something lighter, but the flavors go well next to almost all main dishes. It has a great balance of tart, savory, sweet flavors and some crunch, thanks to candied pecans. A homemade warm pomegranate vinaigrette tops everything off perfectly!

What is Delicata Squash?

Delicata squash is a long, skinny winter squash with a yellowish colored skin with green stripes. Delicata squash has a delicate, sweet, creamy flavor and edible skin. For an easy delicata squash recipe, slice your squash, scrape out the seeds, toss the rings in seasoning and oil, place them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400ºF. It will taste like Thanksgiving! That's how easy it is to cook delicata squash in the oven.

Roasted Delicata Squash

For an easy roasted delicata squash recipe, slice your squash, scrape out the seeds, toss the rings in seasoning and oil, place them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400ºF. It will taste like Thanksgiving! That's how easy it is to cook delicata squash in the oven.

What is Arugula?

Arugula is a cruciferous leafy green with a distinctive, peppery flavor. You may have also heard it called rucula, salad rocket, or Italian cress. Arugula can be eaten cooked or uncooked, and it’s often used in salads, as part of a lettuce blend, or served on sandwiches or pizzas. We love it as a base for this salad because it perfectly compliments the sweetness of the squash and candied pecans.

Arugula Salad Ingredients

• Squash - There are two options here! You could use roasted delicata squash cut into rings or roasted butternut squash. You could even sub in roasted sweet potatoes in a pinch.
• Candied pecans - You could also use pine nuts! We love the sweet crunch from candied pecans, though.
• Portabella Mushroom Caps - These are the big ones! We love how they can be sliced into long strips.
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, cinnamon, and garlic powder
• Sliced Avocado. Not only is this good for you, but the healthy fats help cut through the sweetness of the salad for a great balance.
• Baby Arugula. Nothing beats this green for flavor and texture.
• Homemade Tempeh Bacon Bits. Because everything is better with bacon, and this vegan bacon is the bomb.

How to Make Arugula Salad

There are a couple of moving parts in this rocket salad, but ultimately, it’s pretty simple to pull together! Start by roasting the squash, then baking the tempeh bacon bits. While that’s happening, you’ll cook portobello mushrooms on the stovetop. Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a saucepan until it’s reduced, and then arrange everything in your favorite salad serving dish! Arugula, squash, portobellos, nuts, avocado, and tasty pomegranate vinaigrette.

More Salad Variations and Additions

We love making this arugula salad year-round, but it’s especially delicious in the fall and winter! If you want to make this arugula salad all year long, you could add seasonal ingredients such as:

• Almonds or Walnuts
• Pine nuts
• Dried Cranberries
• Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, or parsley
• Roasted tomatoes
• Pickled Onions
• Pears
• Apples
• Nectarines
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Feta cheese
• Crunchy Kale chips
• Drizzle of Maple Syrup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas)

Tips for Storing Salad

It’s best to serve this salad immediately after making it, but if you do need to store it, it’s best to do it in separate airtight containers. This prevents the fresh ingredients from absorbing the dressing and becoming mushy. Keep everything separate and then combine right before serving!

More Arugula Recipes

• Cashew Ricotta Pizza
• Roasted Cauliflower & Spiced Chickpea Salad
• Tomato, Olive, & Cheese Sandwich
• Blood Orange, Avocado, and pistachio Salad
• Caramelized Figs & Goat Cheese Pizza with Balsamic Glaze

Did you like this Arugula Salad?

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This post was originally published on November 13, 2012, and has been updated with more useful information and new images.