Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe
This creamy and flavorful Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce combines roasted frozen butternut squash, fresh tomatoes, and onions blended into a smooth sauce. It’s an easy and comforting way to enjoy pasta with a nutritious twist, finished with your choice of parmesan or plant-based cheese for a perfect weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables and Sauce Base
- 16 oz bag of frozen diced butternut squash
- 1.5 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (any preferred type)
- 1/3 cup pasta water reserved from cooked pasta
Optional Garnish
- Parmesan cheese or plant-based parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare vegetables: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in even roasting.
- Arrange vegetables: Spread the frozen butternut squash, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season and oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Toss everything gently to coat the vegetables evenly in oil and seasonings.
- Roast the vegetables: Bake the vegetables in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized to enhance their natural sweetness.
- Cook the pasta: While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set it aside.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the hot roasted vegetables to a blender along with the reserved pasta water. Blend until you achieve a smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
- Toss the pasta with sauce: Pour the butternut squash sauce over the cooked pasta and toss well to coat every piece evenly with the luscious sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with grated parmesan cheese or a plant-based alternative for a dairy-free option.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh butternut squash cubes if preferred; adjust roasting time accordingly until tender.
- To make this dish vegan, use plant-based parmesan or nutritional yeast for topping.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed after blending.
- For additional flavor, consider adding garlic to the vegetables before roasting.
- This sauce pairs well with various pasta types like penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/butternut-squash-pasta-sauce-recipe/
