This Baked Farro with Butternut Squash, Kale and Pancetta is a healthy comfort food dish that’s full of flavor! It’s perfect for the cold, winter months ahead.
We now interrupt your regularly scheduled holiday baking extravaganza to bring you….. Baked Farro with Butternut Squash, Kale and Pancetta.
Now, now, now, don’t go changin’ the channel folks. I know it’s cookie season. I totally get it. But before I had to up myself a size in my stretchy pants, I needed something healthy, yet dee-li-cious on the menu and this farro dish is it!
If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you know my love for farro. It’s a hearty, nutty-tasting grain that’s high in fiber and an excellent source of protein. During the summer, when I get fresh Jersey corn and tomatoes my Farro, Corn and Tomato Salad is my go-to salad. It’s fresh and light, yet satisfying, and packed with all things good for you. I don’t make it as much during the winter months because I love the fresh, ripe tomatoes and sweet Jersey corn we get in the summer best for the recipe. So I knew I needed a go-to fall/winter farro recipe that was just as tasty.
Sweet butternut squash along with kale, onion, sage, farro and pancetta are transformed into a winter good for you comfort food dish that you’ll find so totally flavorful and satisfying. Comfort food doesn’t always have to be fattening and bad for your waistline. You can enjoy this dish as your main course or as a side and you’ll just love how incredibly easy it is to make. You can even save yourself some time by purchasing already cubed butternut squash from your local market.
So step away from the cookie tray for a bit and and treat yourself to something healthy, comforting and delicious! Your waistline will thank you. Enjoy friends!
- 1 cup farro I use Bob's Red Mill
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 4 oz. pancetta diced
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp. fresh sage leaves roughly chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 1/2 cups butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 3 cups kale stemmed and roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese plus 2 Tbsp. extra for sprinkling
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Rinse 1 cup farro. Place in a pot and add 3 cups chicken stock (the stock should cover the farro). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat.
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
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In an 8 or 9 inch Dutch oven, saute pancetta over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil, onion and butternut squash and cook for 6-8 minutes stirring often. Add garlic, sage, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and continue to cook 2 minutes more.
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Add cooked farro, kale and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and mix gently until well combined. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until squash is tender.
Butternut squash and pancetta are a match made in heaven! Love the look of this dish Mary Ann!
I agree Alida! They go perfectly together! Enjoy!
Oh, Mary Ann, I’m with ya’ on the stretchy pants. I’ve been eating. so. much. This dish looks like a great way to get in all that delicious seasonal produce. Add cheese and pancetta and I’m in!
All the holiday goodies are so hard to resist aren’t they?! I’m trying to fit in some healthier dishes throughout the month to help! Have a great weekend Karen!
Ohh I totally share your love of farro, Mary Ann! Naturally, I am LOVING this cozy, winterized version!! All the flavors going on here just scream, cuddle up by the fire and eat a bowl or three of me! Healthy, cozy eats are my jam during this time of year – you know, gotta do something to offset all those cookies – so thanks for sharing this dish!! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned of course! Cheers!
Yes, this is total cuddle up by the fire food Chey! A total shocker, but even Tom enjoyed it! And you know how picky he is!!
Oh I am so with you– farro is one of my favorite foods!! That second to last photo has me swooning!
Me too Sarah! It’s such a hearty, nutty grain. Hope you give this dish a try!
Can you believe I’ve never had farro, Mary Ann? This recipe totally makes me want to try it. It looks so cozy and delicious! I’m definitely going with the grocery cubed version of butternut!
You definitely need to try it then Rachelle! It’s a fall and winter favorite!
What a healthy good looking winter dish Mary Ann. I enjoy eating farro, it has a nice nutty flavor and you addded some great tasting veggies and let’s not forget the pancetta and herbs. Yummy!
It’s so tasty Gerlinde. One of my favorite fall/winter comfort food dishes! Enjoy!
My waistline thanks you. My tastebuds thank you. I thank you! Great minds, my friend… I guess stretchy pants across the land united and sent out subliminal messages for farro to be placed on the menu! Pinned!
Yes! Haha! I can’t wait to try yours!
Healthy comfort food, nothing better. Especially when butternut squash is involved!
Yes, I love butternut squash too Matt! And we all need a healthy dish around this time of year!
Farro, butternut squash, pancetta = perfection!!
Yay! Glad you think so guys!
I don’t use farro often enough ’cause this recipe looks delish! Of course, love the combination of butternut squash, kale and pancetta. Great idea to break up all the holiday cookie recipes going around with this one. I won’t mind eating an extra cookie if I eat this ;)
Go for the extra cookie Dawn! This dish will help keep you on track! XO
Farro and pancetta in a bowl? You are talking my language. What a comforting beauty Mary Ann.
It really is such a comforting dish Kevin. A nice bowl with a glass of wine is the perfect winter dinner for me!
There are enough cookies out there, I’m ALL about these savory comfort kind of meals right now! Farro is so hearty and chewy, love it as a winter grain!
Me too Gina! I’ve had one cookie too many! Time to change it up…til next week!
You are so right about cookie season, but our jeans still need to fit too :). Love this for a cozy December dinner!
That’s what stretchy pants are for Laura! But this farro dish helps!
I too share your love of farro! And I love that you’ve added so many healthy goodies to this major comfort food dish – a fantastic balance of superfoods and some all-time favs like pancetta (drool)! This dish is perfect for those cold winter nights, curled up under a blanket by the fire.
You should definitely try this one then Kathleen! It’s so hearty and one of my favorite healthy comfort food dishes! Hope you enjoy if you give it a go!
This is stunning!! Love the flavors!
Thanks Tieghan! It’s a satisfying healthy comfort food dish!
I love farro, Mary Ann. Never thought of baking it – that’s a great idea. It’s such a lovely, nutty grain and I love the different flavors you have going on in here – so perfect for this time of the year. PS: I left a message yesterday but it seems to have disappeared!
I’ll look into it Geraldine. Thanks for letting me know. I hope you give this recipe a try! I think you’ll really enjoy it!
cConsidering the fact that I have been diving deep into the cookie jar as of late, this baked farro dish sounds like the perfect cure. Love all the flavors you have going on.
Yes, it’s perfect Nicole! I think we’ve all been digging deep into the cookie jar lately! Tis the season, right?!
I have a huge bag of farro in my pantry and I never quite know what to do with it! Now I know! This looks wonderful!
Give it a go Kathy! It’s one of my favorite winter farro dishes! Have a great week!