Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of velvety pasta, where each bite is a luxurious blend of sweet, nutty butternut squash and perfectly cooked noodles. This isn't just another pasta recipe - it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily create in your own kitchen. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a gourmet weeknight dinner, this Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 2 cups butternut squash, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Dice the butternut squash into small cubes, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil, then add the chopped onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Next, add the diced butternut squash to the skillet. Stir to combine with the onions and garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes until the squash begins to soften.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and sprinkle in the nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender.
- Once the squash is cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the skillet until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the skillet.
- After blending, if the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the butternut squash sauce. Toss gently to combine, ensuring that the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional pepper, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce!
Tips
- • For the smoothest sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the skillet to save on cleanup time. • Reserve pasta water before draining - it's liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency! • Choose a pasta shape with ridges or curves like rigatoni or penne to help the sauce cling better. • If butternut squash is out of season, frozen cubed squash works perfectly as a time-saving alternative. • Want extra richness? Add a splash of heavy cream or a pat of butter when blending the sauce. • Toast some pine nuts or sage leaves as a garnish for added texture and flavor complexity. • For a protein boost, consider adding crispy pancetta or shredded chicken to the final dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
