Go Back
+ servings
butternut squash pasta sauce

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce to Brighten Your Dinner

A creamy butternut squash pasta sauce perfect for cozy autumn meals, vegetarian-friendly and easy to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1 medium butternut squash can substitute with frozen squash
  • 4 medium plum tomatoes or any ripe tomatoes
  • 1 medium yellow onion or shallots for a milder taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil use high-quality for best flavor
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or crushed red pepper for heat
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or dried thyme as substitute
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes reduce or omit for milder sauce
For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces penne pasta or any pasta shape
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese omit for vegan version

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Blender
  • large pot
  • Baking sheet
  • Large Bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot for the penne pasta.
  3. In a large bowl, combine diced butternut squash, plum tomatoes, and yellow onion. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt, black pepper, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes. Toss until coated.
  4. Spread the seasoned vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  6. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender, adding the reserved pasta water, and blend until smooth and creamy.
  7. Toss the creamy sauce with the cooked penne pasta in a large bowl. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 7gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 410mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2200IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This sauce is versatile and can be used for pizza or with gnocchi as well.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!