Caramelized Butternut Squash, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potato

with Feta, Walnuts & Cranberry-Honey Glaze

⏱ Time

Prep: 15 minutes
Roast: 30–40 minutes
Total: ~50 minutes

🍽 Serves

4–6 as a side dish

Ingredients

Roasted Vegetables

2 cups butternut squash, cubed
1 cup carrots, sliced
2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
1 large sweet potato, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Toppings

½ cup crumbled feta
⅓ cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Cranberry-Honey Glaze

½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp water
Pinch of salt

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2️⃣ Season the Vegetables

In a large bowl, toss:

Butternut squash
Carrots
Brussels sprouts
Sweet potato

Add olive oil, maple syrup (or honey), smoked paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.

3️⃣ Roast

Spread vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet (don’t overcrowd).

Roast for 30–40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until:

Tender
Golden brown
Slightly caramelized on edges

4️⃣ Make the Cranberry-Honey Glaze

While vegetables roast:

Add cranberries, honey, orange juice, water, and salt to a small saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cranberries will burst and sauce will thicken.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly (it thickens more as it cools).

For smoother glaze: blend briefly.

5️⃣ Toast the Walnuts

In a dry skillet over medium heat:

Toast walnuts 3–5 minutes until fragrant.
Stir frequently to avoid burning.

6️⃣ Assemble

Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving platter.

Top with:

Crumbled feta
Toasted walnuts
Drizzle of cranberry-honey glaze

Serve warm.

❓ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Roast the vegetables up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat at 375°F for 10–15 minutes, then add toppings and glaze before serving.

❓ Can I make it vegan?

Yes!

Replace feta with vegan feta or omit it.
Use maple syrup instead of honey.

❓ Can I add protein to make it a full meal?

Absolutely. Great additions:

Chickpeas (roast with veggies)
Quinoa
Grilled chicken
Salmon
Farro

❓ How do I get extra caramelization?

Don’t overcrowd the pan.
Use a metal baking sheet.
Roast at 425°F for deeper browning.
Flip halfway through roasting.

❓ Can I use dried cranberries instead?

Fresh/frozen works best for glaze.
If using dried:

Simmer ⅓ cup dried cranberries with 3 tbsp water until softened, then blend.

❓ What other cheeses work?

Goat cheese
Blue cheese
Parmesan shavings

❓ How long does it keep?

Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.