Butternut Squash Pasta
When you want comfort and decadence but need wholesome and nourishing, Butternut Squash Pasta is the solution. Butternut squash is the secret to the swoon-worthy sauce, making it the ideal addition to your healthy recipe rotation.
The hidden veggies in the sauce make this an ideal pasta for kids…or anyone who is veggie shy.
For this pasta, the secret sauce (literally) that makes it special is roasted butternut squash.
As this Roasted Butternut Squash demonstrates, cooking squash in the oven until it is caramelized and tender unlocks its true potential.
This pasta makes the most of the roasted squash’s nutty, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness by blending it into the sauce.From there, elevated additions like Roasted Garlic, brown butter, and gouda make it a forever-keeper you can serve to company.
This easy butternut squash pasta is on our house favorites list, and I know it will earn its spot on yours.
Let’s make it!
Reasons to Love Butternut Squash Pasta
If you haven’t already been sold on the idea of butternut squash pasta, here are some of the reasons why I love this recipe so much:
CHEESE. Butternut squash pairs well with cheese, and while this isn’t a mac and cheese recipe per se (turn to Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese for that), the cheese and butternut squash elevate one another beautifully.It’s Versatile. Not only can you enjoy this recipe as a side or vegetarian main, but you can also upgrade it by adding a filling protein, like in this Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta. It’s Nutritious. This is a creamy, comforting pasta dish without heavy cream, meaning it’s fairly wholesome. Healthy swaps keep things light, and an array of veggies add valuable nutrition. (For those who like a little extra nutrition punch, see the FAQ section below for more ideas of what to add.)
How to Make Butternut Squash Pasta
This roasted garlic and butternut squash pasta tastes luxurious, far more so than you’d expect from its comparably lean ingredient list.
The majority of this recipe’s creaminess and richness comes from the butternut squash itself.
Combined with a touch of milk and cheese, the squash becomes a sumptuous pasta sauce.
The Ingredients
Pasta. Whole wheat pasta ensures that this dish is full of filling fiber and added nutrients. I used rotini, but you can use any short, tubular noodle you prefer.
Butternut Squash. Creamy, nutty, and naturally sweet, butternut squash pairs well with a cheesy sauce. It’s also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Garlic + Onion. The small but mighty flavor builders. These roast on the sheet pan right along with the butternut squash.Milk. Helps make the squash sauce extra creamy. I used 1% milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand. Butter + Sage. Cooking the sage leaves in browned butter adds earthiness, warmth, and richness to the butternut squash sauce. Cheeses. Nutty, creamy Gouda and savory Parmesan are the perfect cheesy duo to take this butternut squash pasta from simple to spectacular. Red Pepper Flakes. A touch of heat is the perfect complement to the sweet and savory notes.
The Directions
Cut the top off of the garlic, drizzle it with olive oil, wrap it in aluminum foil, then place it on a baking sheet. Prick the squash all over, slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place it on the baking sheet.
Trim, peel, and halve the onion. Add it to the baking sheet.
Roast at 400 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool.
Cook and drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
Remove the squash skin, then add the flesh to a blender with the onion and garlic cloves.
Add milk and blend until smooth.
Brown the butter with the sage in the pasta pot.
Stir in the squash sauce and Gouda.
Stir everything together. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate pasta in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk as needed for moisture. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze pasta in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Roast the butternut squash, garlic, and onion up to 1 day in advance. Refrigerate them in an airtight storage container until you’re ready to finish the recipe.
Leftover Ideas
Bulk up leftover pasta by adding chicken (try my Crockpot Shredded Chicken or Air Fryer Chicken Breast) or extra veggies (Sautéed Mushrooms would be delicious).
What to Pair with Butternut Squash Pasta
Salad. For something fresh and light, serve this creamy butternut squash pasta with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad or Winter Salad.Vegetables. Try Roasted Broccolini, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Cauliflower. Bread. A slice of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread would be scrumptious with this dish. Meat. For a hearty meal, pair this pasta with Air Fryer Steak, Grilled Pork Chops, or Baked Bone In Chicken Breast.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Baking Sheet. It is better to roast butternut squash than boil it, so a baking sheet is crucial. Blender. Essential for creating the best butternut squash pasta sauce. This more economical version is also great. Large Pot. This high-quality pot is perfect for preparing this pasta.
We happily ate this dish multiple nights in a row, then missed it as soon as it was gone.
You will love it! Be sure it finds its way to your table soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this recipe vegan, you’ll need to use a dairy-free milk and butter substitute. For the cheeses, you can use a dairy free version of Gouda and Parmesan. Instead, consider adding butternut squash to this dairy-free Penne Alla Vodka.
If you’d like to incorporate meat into your butternut squash pasta, you certainly can. I think butternut squash pasta with bacon (use my Air Fryer Bacon), chicken (stir in some Instant Pot Shredded Chicken), turkey (try my Air Fryer Turkey Breast), pork (like Baked Pork Tenderloin), or sausage butternut squash pasta would all be delicious.
To boost the nutrition of this pasta dish, stir in some chopped baby spinach, kale, Roasted Cauliflower Roasted Broccoli, or any other vegetables you enjoy.
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Butternut Squash Pasta
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk as needed for moisture. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave.
TO FREEZE: Freeze pasta in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
