Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe
This Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce offers a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional pasta sauces by using roasted butternut squash blended with fresh tomatoes, onions, and aromatic herbs. The sauce is naturally sweet and velvety, perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta for a comforting, wholesome meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 16 oz bag of frozen diced butternut squash
- 1.5 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta of your choice
- 1/3 cup pasta water reserved from cooked pasta
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare Vegetables: Spread the frozen diced butternut squash, fresh chopped tomatoes, and sliced yellow onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season and Oil: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the vegetables. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and dried thyme evenly on top. Toss gently to ensure all pieces are coated with oil and seasonings.
- Roast Vegetables: Bake the vegetables in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized, which will deepen the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: While the vegetables roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, scoop out 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside; this will help achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Blend Sauce: Immediately after roasting, transfer the hot vegetables to a blender along with the reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth and creamy to make the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Pour the blended butternut squash sauce over the drained pasta. Toss well to coat every strand evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with parmesan cheese or a plant-based parmesan substitute for an extra layer of flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed butternut squash if frozen is unavailable; roast times may vary slightly.
- Reserving pasta water is crucial as it helps to thin the sauce and helps it adhere better to the pasta.
- For a vegan option, substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast or a plant-based cheese.
- Adding a splash of cream or coconut milk can make the sauce richer, but this is optional.
- Fresh thyme can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor; adjust quantities accordingly.
Keywords: butternut squash pasta sauce, roasted squash sauce, vegetarian pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, healthy pasta recipe
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/butternut-squash-pasta-sauce-recipe/
