Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe
This Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce recipe transforms roasted butternut squash, tomatoes, and onions into a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. It’s a wholesome, comforting dish that combines the natural sweetness of roasted vegetables with savory herbs for a delightful vegetarian meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 16 ounces frozen diced butternut squash
- 1.5 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pasta
- 1 pound dried pasta
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Arrange Vegetables: Spread the frozen butternut squash, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Season the Vegetables: Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Toss gently until all pieces are well coated with the seasoning and oil.
- Roast the Vegetables: Bake the seasoned vegetables at 450°F for 20 minutes, until they are tender and lightly caramelized, which develops their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Cook the Pasta: While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water, following the package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce later.
- Blend the Sauce: Transfer the roasted vegetables along with the reserved pasta water to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a flavorful butternut squash pasta sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Pour the blended sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan or a plant-based Parmesan alternative if desired, to add a savory finishing touch.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh butternut squash cubes for frozen but roast a few minutes longer until tender.
- For a vegan option, use plant-based Parmesan or nutritional yeast as garnish.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to achieve desired consistency.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
