Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe
A creamy and flavorful butternut squash pasta sauce made by roasting butternut squash, tomatoes, and onions, then blending them into a smooth sauce. This comforting sauce is tossed with cooked pasta for a quick, vibrant, and wholesome meal perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- 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 & Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water (from cooked pasta)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Vegetables: Spread the frozen diced butternut squash, chopped tomatoes, and sliced yellow onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season Vegetables: Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the veggies, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Toss gently to coat all the vegetables evenly.
- Roast Vegetables: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the vegetables at 450°F for 20 minutes, allowing them to soften and caramelize slightly for enhanced flavor.
- Cook Pasta: While the veggies roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound of pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and transfer it to a blender.
- Blend Sauce: Immediately add the hot roasted vegetables to the blender with the reserved pasta water and blend until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious butternut squash pasta sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Pour the blended sauce over the cooked pasta in a large bowl or pot, tossing thoroughly to ensure every strand or piece is coated evenly.
- Serve: Divide the sauced pasta onto plates and serve immediately. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a plant-based alternative if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatoes when they are in season for a brighter sauce flavor.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps loosen the sauce and improves its texture.
- For a vegan option, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
- This sauce can be made ahead and reheated on the stovetop with a splash of pasta water to loosen.
- You can swap dried thyme with fresh thyme if available, adjusting quantities accordingly.
Keywords: butternut squash pasta sauce, roasted vegetable pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, fall pasta recipe
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/butternut-squash-pasta-sauce-recipe/