Description
This Cozy Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta is a hug in a bowl, featuring tender pasta coated in a luxurious, velvety sauce made from sweet butternut squash. It’s the perfect comforting meal for a chilly evening, bringing together simple ingredients for a truly delightful flavor. Imagine slurping up every last drop of this rich, luscious pasta, studded with delightful bites of squash and finished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound dried pasta (rigatoni, penne, or linguine)
1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Fresh sage leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. On the baking sheet, combine the butternut squash, onion, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together.
3. Roast the vegetables for 30 to 35 minutes, until the squash is soft and slightly caramelized.
4. While the vegetables cook, boil salted water and cook your pasta until al dente. Save about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
5. Carefully put the hot roasted vegetables into a blender.
6. Add the broth, heavy cream, and nutmeg to the blender. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If it seems too thick, add a little reserved pasta water.
7. Pour the butternut squash sauce over the drained pasta in a serving bowl. Toss well, adding more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, if you’re using it. Taste and adjust seasonings.
9. Serve warm, topped with fresh sage and more pepper.
Notes
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your pasta until it is just tender. It will continue to cook slightly when tossed in the warm sauce.
Achieve Creamy Smoothness: For the creamiest sauce, ensure your blender is powerful enough to fully purée the squash. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you might need to blend in batches or blend for a bit longer.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: The reserved pasta water is your friend! Use it to thin the sauce if it’s too thick, or let it simmer a little longer if it’s too thin.
Taste and Season: Always taste your sauce before serving and adjust seasonings as needed. A little extra salt or a tiny pinch more nutmeg can make a big difference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American