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Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 21, 2022, Updated Oct 07, 2023

Let me introduce you to this creamy butternut squash pasta . There is nothing quite like a warm and comforting bowl 🥣 of pasta to satisfy your taste buds and soothe your soul. In this recipe, we’ve taken a seasonal favorite, butternut squash, and transformed it into a rich and velvety sauce that coats every strand of pasta in creamy goodness. Believe me, this will become your new go-to pasta sauce as it’s the perfect fusion between fall 🍂 flavors and Italian eats 🍝. It also happens to be the ideal dish for the Holidays, so I hope you give it a try 🙌!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
How to Prepare This Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Nonna’s Tip
Variations and Substitutions for this Butternut Squash Pasta
Best Served With
Similar Recipes
Other Holiday Recipes
Common Questions
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

This creamy butternut squash pasta sauce is a healthier, nutrient packed alternative to your regular mac and cheese, and I promise you, there is no compromise when it comes to taste 😋! You’ll never feel the need to go back to heavy cream based sauces as this recipe provides both flavor and richness without the excess calories . Between the nutty sweetness of the squash and the touch of saltiness from the cheese, this hidden veggie pasta creation will be an absolute crowd pleaser 🤤.

How to Prepare This Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

🧈To whip up this delightful Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta, start by thinly slicing a red onion . In a pan on the stove, melt some butter over medium heat and sauté the onions until they turn soft and translucent. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper, then remove the pan from heat.

🔪Next, it’s time to tackle the butternut squash. Peel it, remove the ends , and then slice 🔪 it in half. Scoop out the seeds and cut each half into smaller cubes; don’t worry too much about the size, as the squash will be boiled and blended into the sauce later.

🍲Now, grab a pot and combine water and broth (or just water or vegetable broth, depending on your preference). Bring it to a boil and add in the cubed squash. Boil until the squash becomes fork-tender .

🥄Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked squash and then transfer it to a blender along with the sautéed onions and butter. Grate the cheese 🧀 and add it to the blender as well, along with a ladle of the squash broth. Blend this mixture until it’s velvety smooth, adjusting the thickness by adding more broth if needed. Don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as desired.

🍝While the sauce is blending, boil the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking it until it reaches al-dente perfection. Once cooked, drain the pasta, and then combine it in a serving dish with the luscious butternut squash sauce. Lastly, mix everything together , ensuring the pasta is generously coated with the creamy goodness of the sauce.

Nonna’s Tip

You can certainly prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately. Reheat the sauce and mix it with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

Variations and Substitutions for this Butternut Squash Pasta

The Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta recipe is quite versatile, and you can certainly make various substitutions or add different ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences:

If you want to make this recipe vegan , feel free to use a vegan cheese and a vegan butter 🧈 of choice.
You can also use nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
If you’re gluten-sensitive or prefer gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta in place of regular pasta.
Enhance the flavor profile by adding herbs and spices such as sage, thyme, or rosemary. A dash of red pepper flakes 🌶️ can also provide a nice kick.
Add some protein to make it a heartier meal. You can incorporate cooked chicken, shrimp 🍤, or tofu cubes into the dish for extra protein.
For an even creamier texture , replace some of the broth with heavy cream or coconut cream.
Instead of traditional pasta, consider using spiralized zucchini noodles or even sweet potato noodles for a different twist.
Roast additional vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms 🍄 and fold them into the dish for extra texture and flavor .

Best Served With

A side of warm, crusty garlic bread or garlic knots is a classic choice that complements the creamy pasta beautifully. Try my Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread .
A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette or creamy dressing can add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. Try my Simple Green Salad or Creamy Bulgarian Salad .
If you’d like a heartier meal, consider adding a protein like Grilled Chicken , Grilled Shrimp Skewers, or seared tofu alongside the pasta. This can turn it into a complete, well-balanced dish.
Pair the pasta with a glass of white wine, such as a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio , to enhance the overall dining experience.

Similar Recipes

Roasted Squash Salad
Roasted Delicata Squash
Creamy Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Butternut Squash Soup

Other Holiday Recipes

Gravy
Juicy Turkey
Mac and Cheese
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Donuts
Pumpkin Pie
Brussels Sprouts
Sweet Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Squash
Turkey Noodle Soup
Cranberry Sauce
Baked Apples
Mushrooms
Green Beans
Whole Roasted Sweet Potato

Common Questions

Yes, you can surely use frozen butternut squash if you’re short on fresh squash. Thaw it before boiling, and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Any pasta shape will work, but many people prefer short pasta like penne or farfalle for this dish. Use your favorite or what you have on hand.

Yes, you can certainly prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately. Reheat the sauce and mix it with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

Store any leftover pasta and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Gently warm the pasta and sauce on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to maintain the creaminess.

While butternut squash works wonderfully in this recipe, you can also experiment with other sweet squashes like acorn squash or kabocha squash for a unique twist.

If you want to make this recipe vegan, feel free to use a vegan cheese and a vegan butter instead.

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Video

Equipment

▢ Peeler
▢ Medium Pot
▢ Blender
▢ Ceramic Pans
▢ Cutting Board
▢ Nakiri Knife

Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons butter
▢ ½ red onion , sliced
▢ salt and pepper , to taste
▢ 2 cups water
▢ 2 cups vegetable broth , unsalted
▢ 400 grams butternut squash , peeled/cubed
▢ 250 grams pasta , I used Mafalda Corta
▢ 1 cup cheddar cheese

Instructions

▢ Peel and cut a red onion in half, cut it lengthwise into slices. In a pan on the stove, add the butter and onions. Sauté the onions in the butter on medium heat until softened. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Take it off the heat.
▢ Peel the butternut squash, cut off the ends and cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds, cut each halve down the middle and cube it. You can cut the squash anyway you like as it will be boiled and blended into the sauce regardless.
▢ Take a pot and fill it with water and broth. You can also use all water or all vegetable broth as this recipe is very versatile. Let it come to a boil and add in the cubed squash. Boil until fork tender.
▢ With a slotted spoon take out the squash and add it to a blender with the sautéed onions and butter. Grate the cheese, and add it in with a ladle of the squash broth. Blend until smooth. You can adjust how thin or thick you like it by adjusting the broth. Taste and adjust for salt.
▢ In the meantime, boil the pasta as per the package directions. I like to boil mine in boiling salted water until al-dente. Once cooked, strain the pasta. Add the pasta into a dish and pour the sauce on top. Mix and enjoy!

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.