Description
Creamy and comforting, this Butternut Squash Pasta is a delicious vegetarian dish perfect for fall. The sauce is velvety and rich, with the sweetness of butternut squash complemented by savory garlic and thyme.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for vegan, omit or use dairy-free)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional:
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add butternut squash and onion; cook for 6–8 minutes until starting to soften. Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in vegetable broth, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes until squash is tender. Transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth (or use an immersion blender directly in the pan). Return sauce to skillet, stir in heavy cream, Parmesan (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For extra flavor, roast the butternut squash with a drizzle of olive oil and salt at 400°F for 20–25 minutes before blending into the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop, Blending
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
