Description

A budget-friendly, weeknight-friendly salad featuring warm roasted apples, candied pecans, and spinach with a balsamic vinaigrette. It is sweet, savory, and kid-approved.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large bag (5–6 ounces) pre-washed baby spinach
3 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), sliced into ¼ inch wedges
1 cup pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: ½ cup dried cranberries
Optional: 2 cups diced cooked chicken

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss apple slices with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes until slightly softened.
While apples roast, mix pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl.
Remove baking sheet from oven, push apples to one side, and sprinkle pecan mixture over the empty half. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes until pecans are glossy and sticky. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette.
Let roasted apples and pecans cool for 2-3 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, toss spinach with the vinaigrette until coated.
Transfer salad to a serving platter or bowls. Top with warm roasted apples, candied pecans, and crumbled feta. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not over-roast apples or they will turn to mush. Let apples cool slightly before adding to greens to prevent wilting. For extra nutty flavor, toast plain pecans in a dry pan before adding sugar. This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of the total sal
Calories: 280
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 320
Fat: 16
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 6
Protein: 8

Keywords: fall salad, roasted apples, candied pecans, budget dinner, weeknight meals, healthy salad, spinach salad, easy recipes