This Butternut Squash and Apple Pilaf is Paleo, Whole30, and vegan! This recipe perfectly combines butternut squash, apple, cinnamon, sage, and caramelized onion. It’s a delicious grain-free “rice” dish that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving table!
This recipe’s ancestors were little more than glorified “hashes” — just some sauteed butternut squash and maybe a bit of onion if I was lucky, and not too lazy to chop one up. Luckily for you, this recipe evolved to include “riced” (instead of “roughly chopped”) butternut squash and apples! I also added cinnamon for a bit of extra flavor. Although sweet potatoes are definitely my favorite starchy veggie, butternut squash is pretty great too. This butternut squash and apple pilaf is a definite “win.”
I hope you guys like the whole “riced veggie” concept of this recipe, since I have a similar recipe coming your way soon! I’ll give you a little hint about it: I replaced the bread in this typical Thanksgiving recipe with sweet potato “rice” . . . and it turned out so well! I can’t wait to share it with you.
You might be wondering how to make veggie “rice.” That’s a fair question; I’d be wondering the same thing if I were you. These are the basic steps:
- Spiralize your vegetable.
- Place the veggie noodles in your blender and cover with water. The water should cover the tops of the noodles by a few centimeters.
- Turn the blender on high for just a few seconds, then turn it back off. If left on for longer than a few seconds, the blender will liquefy your noodles.
- Using a strainer, drain all the water out of your riced noodles. Cook the “rice” in a large skillet.
I hope you guys love this butternut squash and apple pilaf! It’s seriously so good. Seriously. Seeeeerioussssssly. <– Oh jeez, why am I so weird? I guess that’s a good thing, because so far my weirdess has kept you all coming back for more recipes. Thank you! <3 You make my “job” worth having!
As a thank-you, I’d like to invite you guys to join my email club! I’m sending out a new subscriber-exclusive recipe this week, and I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes! Eventually (aka once I get my life together), I’ll share exclusive subscriber bonuses via email . . . like giveaways, coupons, et cetera. Come join the party!
As I mentioned in this post, I’ll be posting three times this week, so don’t forget to come back for more recipes on Wednesday and Friday! Thanks for reading!

Prep Time | 15 minutes |
Cook Time | 15 minutes |
Servings |
people
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- 1/2 medium onion diced small
- 1 medium apple 5-6 oz
- 10 oz butternut squash (about 4 cups spiraled 2 cups riced)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Ingredients
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- Heat the coconut oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Spiralize the squash and either pulse in a food processor or add to a large blender and cover with water. Quickly turn speed up to high and then immediately back down. Drain. Add the squash "rice" and the 1/2 C water to the skillet. Cover and raise heat to medium high. Cook for 5 minutes, or until squash is soft.
- Spiralize the apple and roughly chop the "noodles." Add them to the skillet and cook, uncovered, until all remaining water has evaporated. Stir occasionally.
- Add salt and spices. Serve.