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Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe

Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe

4.8 from 25 reviews

A creamy, flavorful butternut squash pasta sauce made by roasting butternut squash, tomatoes, and onions, then blending them into a smooth sauce. This dish is easy to prepare, wholesome, and perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, served over penne pasta with a sprinkle of vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 1.5 pounds), diced
  • 2 plum tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered

Seasonings & Oils

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasting)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for serving)

Other

  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated vegetarian Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Boil: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). At the same time, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta.
  2. Toss Vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Add the diced butternut squash, quartered tomatoes, and quartered onion. Toss well to evenly coat all the vegetables with the seasoning mixture.
  3. Roast Vegetables: Spread the seasoned vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Roast them in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and have developed a slight browning.
  4. Cook Pasta: While the vegetables are roasting, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
  5. Blend Sauce: Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender. Add the reserved pasta water to the blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, creating your sauce.
  6. Toss Pasta and Serve: Pour the creamy butternut squash sauce over the drained pasta. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated vegetarian Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Roasting the vegetables enhances their natural sweetness and depth of flavor in the sauce.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes if you prefer more or less heat.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  • Use vegetarian Parmesan to keep the dish suitable for vegetarians.
  • This sauce can also be served with other pasta varieties like rigatoni or fusilli.

Nutrition

Keywords: butternut squash pasta sauce, roasted vegetable pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta recipe, creamy butternut squash sauce, easy fall pasta