Description
A comforting, creamy pasta dish made with roasted butternut squash, garlic, and onions, blended into a velvety sauce. Perfect for fall dinners or weeknight meals, this recipe can be customized with chicken, sausage, or kept vegan with plant-based cream.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (serves 4):
For the Pasta:
12 oz pasta of your choice (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
Salt for boiling water
For the Butternut Squash Sauce:
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 medium onion, chopped
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
½ cup cream or cashew cream for vegan version
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for vegan
For Protein (Optional):
1 cup cooked chicken, diced
Or 1 cup cooked sausage slices
Or 1 cup roasted chickpeas for vegan protein
For Garnish:
Fresh sage or parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan or vegan cheese
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Roast Butternut Squash
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
Step 2: Cook Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Make Sauce
In a large skillet, sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Transfer roasted squash to a blender with broth, cream, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth. Pour sauce into skillet, heat gently, and season to taste.
Step 4: Combine
Toss cooked pasta with the sauce. Add cooked chicken, sausage, or chickpeas if using. Mix until evenly coated.
Step 5: Serve
Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh sage, parsley, and Parmesan or vegan cheese. Serve warm.
Notes
- Roasting Tip: Roasting squash first deepens the flavor and adds a natural sweetness.
- Vegan Option: Substitute cream with cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Make Ahead: Sauce can be made 1–2 days ahead and reheated before tossing with pasta.
- Add Crunch: Toasted pine nuts or walnuts make a great topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Pasta
- Method: Roasted / Blended / Sautéed
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired