Crock Pot Squash Couscous

Warm, hearty, and brimming with comforting flavors, Crock Pot Squash Couscous is the perfect one-pot meal to nourish your body and soul. This slow-cooked vegetarian dish combines tender butternut squash, pearl couscous, and a medley of bold spices like cinnamon, cumin, and paprika for a fragrant, slightly sweet, and savory profile. Diced tomatoes and vegetable broth form a rich base, while a bright finish of fresh parsley and lemon juice ties it all together. With minimal prep and an effortless slow-cooking process, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep. Serve this cozy couscous creation as a satisfying meatless main or a flavorful side dish that’s sure to impress. Keywords: Crock Pot Squash Couscous, slow cooker recipes, vegetarian couscous, one-pot meals, easy weeknight dinners, hearty vegetarian dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 medium (about 2 pounds) butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 14.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1.5 cups pearl (Israeli) couscous
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Peel, seed, and dice the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to the crock pot. Add the diced butternut squash, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), ground cinnamon, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on high heat for 3 hours (or low heat for 6 hours), until the squash is fork-tender.

Step 6

After the cooking time, stir in the pearl couscous. Recover the crock pot and cook on high for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the couscous is cooked and the broth is absorbed. Stir occasionally if possible.

Step 7

Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper if desired.

Step 8

Serve warm as a main dish or side, garnished with extra parsley or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2574.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2420.5

Total Fat 52.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.3g
Cholesterol 8.2mg	0%
Sodium 4661.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 442.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 67.2g	0%
Total Sugars 48.3g
Protein 69.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 770.4mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 5644.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.6%

Protein: 11.1%

Carbs: 70.3%