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Home » Food Photos » By Meal » Lunch Ideas » Butternut Squash and Quinoa Cakes

Butternut Squash and Quinoa Cakes

Published: Nov 18, 2013 · Modified: Oct 16, 2020 by greenlitebitescom · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

I love cooking and posting on the same day. I'm skipping over a warm salad I made on Friday just so I can share these cakes today. They came out way better than I anticipated!

I'm not sure what I anticipated. I never made quinoa cakes before. I've seem a few recipes and photos here and there, but I never had the desire to make them because I've never made a batch of quinoa to then recook into cakes -- it seems daunting.

Instead, I decided to make quinoa yesterday for the week. I knew I wanted to use it, I just wasn't sure how.

I also roasted and pureed a butternut squash with plans to use it through out the week as well -- Click here to see my Sensational Sunday post where I share how I kick off the week. 

Anyway, I decided to put the two together in a patty that I could eat on a lettuce "bun."

Butternut Quinoa Cake on Lettuce Bun

It was delicious! Soft, warm and tasty. I topped it with a little cran-apple sauce I made for pork chops the day before.

Butternut Squash Quinoa Cakes

The sweet, tart sauce really was the prefect compliment to the earthy, warm taste of the quinoa cake. I didn't think I'd like the combination of cranberry and butternut squash, but this is the second time I combined the two (last night I had the combo with pork chops) and they are a good pair.

Here's how I made the quinoa cakes ...

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • ½ cup pureed butternut squash
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp sage
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Put all the ingredients in a bowl.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes ingredients

Mix well to combine.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes ingredients combined

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Form the quinoa mixture into 4 patties and place them directly in the hot pan.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes cooking

Let them cook about 5 minutes and then flip carefully. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side.

They will hold together but you do have to be careful, they are moist.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes stacked

I tried to get a close-up for you as the texture was really fun.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes close up

They did hold together but again, are really soft. I loved the quinoa texture in this form!

Here's my gross, already took a few bites, shot.

Butternut Quinoa Cakes bite

This is the kind of thing I didn't make for the family. I don't have to. Here's how it would go down … I LOVE them but The Husband wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. I could probably get the 2-year-old to eat a few indifferent bites. The 8-year-old would need a firm, "just take a bite" before making a face and telling me no, he doesn't like it.

I know my family too well.

I ate two for lunch and will freeze the other two. I'm sure they will heat up well in the microwave.

If you are curious about the cran-apple sauce, I made it similar to my cram-apple oatmeal just without the oats and less water. It took 1 tablespoon of honey and sugar to get the right sweetness for a sauce.

I'm doing the nutritional information per cake even though I think two are a more realistic serving.

Approx Nutritional Information per serving
Servings Amt per Serving
4 1 Butternut Quinoa Cake
Calories Fat Fiber WWPs
105 2g 2g old: 2 new: 3
Sugar Sat Fat Carbs Protein
2g 1g 16g 5g
« Green Beans and Bacon
Mustard Green Salad with Bacon, Feta and Pecans »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelli says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    We love these! Even my husband, who is weird and doesn't typically like squash or quinoa, thought these were great. I double the batch and freeze them. They are a bit crumbly when thawed, but still delicious. I love to spread quac on top of them, which is so good. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • roni says

      January 28, 2015 at 9:58 am

      So glad you like them!

      Reply
  2. Bessy says

    January 31, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    How do you prepare the butternut squash in this recipe do you boil it or roast it?

    Reply
    • roni says

      February 03, 2014 at 3:15 pm

      I roasted it. I don't see why boiling wouldn't work though.

      Reply
  3. Jen R says

    November 25, 2013 at 9:48 am

    Roni, these were great! I made a couple of changes based on what I had in the cabinet... i.e. I subbed almond flour for oats because that is what I had on hand. I also used garlic salt/basil/oregeno/chives/cayanne as spices for both the squash and the quinoa. Definetly a keeper recipe!!!

    Reply
  4. Diane says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Looks amazing. I have all the ingredients and will make them this afternoon! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Rita LA says

    November 20, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    what a great idea... often make quinoa 'tahboule' salad and have a bit left over - will try with cran sauce too 🙂 ... you inspire me with your posts

    Reply
  6. Gwen says

    November 20, 2013 at 1:20 am

    For 100 calories these look delicious 🙂

    Reply
  7. Christy says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    I love this idea and can't wait to try it! I have some of the same challenges as you do with family flavors, although all my kids are adults and no longer at home. But these I LOVE all these flavors and have quinoa in the cupboard.

    Reply
  8. laurie says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:37 am

    This looks great! It would be wonderful to have them in the freezer for a very quick lunch.

    Reply
  9. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Looks delicious!!!!

    Reply
  10. Janice says

    November 19, 2013 at 7:44 am

    This sounds so good. I am going to try these this week!

    Reply

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