Roasted Butternut Squash with Turkey Tacos
I can’t think of anything more perfect than Roasted Butternut Squash with Turkey Tacos. Funny thing is that when I first made these, my husband was asking what’s for dinner and I’m like tacos. He then says well what kind of tacos and I said butternut squash and he was like um nope, “I don’t like butternut squash“. I said you will in this taco!
I’m not trying to toot my own horn but I was right. 😊🤷🏻♀️
So you’re probably wondering how is the butternut squash prepared exactly in this recipe. Well to keep its delicious texture and to have the flavors marry the ground turkey nicely, I roast the butternut squash and cook the turkey separately on the stovetop.
Keeping Things Easy and Under 30 minutes
Now I love tacos therefore I consume them often. I am all about fresh homemade tortillas when you have the time for it. You can make fresh tortillas or you can simply get store bought corn tortillas. The trick though is to make sure you warm them up before serving the tacos so that they have a nice texture and bite to them. You can warm them on the burner itself or use a crepe pan or a cast iron skillet.
Butternut squash can be bought already cut up. This saves so much time (and saves you from wrist pain). Trader Joe’s has the perfect size bags and Costco normally has it during this time of year with the best prices.
If you want to use a whole one, prep it the night before along with the onions.
Toppings for Roasted Butternut Squash with Turkey Tacos
This recipe is made gluten free by using corn tortillas. If you are not gluten sensitive or don’t like corn tortillas, you can sub out for flour tortillas. Or you can enjoy this dish without any tortillas all together and just have the butternut squash and the turkey as a taco shell free bowl.
Some other toppings I recommend are:
- avocado slices
- red salsa
- sour cream
- fresh cilantro
- black beans
- lime juice
- a delicious slaw
Some more ways to swap out is using ground chicken instead of turkey. Also if you would like to make this vegan, you can totally leave out the meat. (The butternut squash is seasoned so well, you may not miss the meat. 🙂) If you can’t find butternut squash you can replace it with sweet potato.
Other things on this recipe to note
Ground turkey is done when it hits 165 degrees and will appear brown or even a bit gray. You definitely do not want to see any pink! Also, 93/7 is good but if you find that to be too dry, I recommend 85/15. I don’t recommend the lowest fat of ground turkey unless you really want to use the lowest percentage or you have dietary restrictions.
Let’s cook Roasted Butternut Squash with Turkey Tacos!
Looking for more healthy recipes? Be sure to check out my Simple Greek Yogurt Chicken and also my Easy Flank Steak !
Roasted Butternut Squash with Turkey Tacos
Equipment
- large sheet pan
- large sauté pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 24 ounces butternut squash large diced, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/4 teaspoon salt plus additional as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- 16 corn tortillas homemade or store bought
Ground Turkey
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2/3 cup yellow onion medium diced, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- On a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper, toss the butternut squash with olive oil and the seasoning spices.
- Place it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Squash should be golden and tender when done.
- In a large saute pan over medium/low heat, add the additional olive oil.
- When the pan is ready, add the ground turkey.
- Let the turkey cook for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low. Then add the onions and the seasonings.
- Continue to let it cook for about 20 minutes or until the turkey has reached 165 degrees.
- Serve with warm tortillas and toppings of your choice.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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