Butternut Squash Pasta

Butternut Squash Pasta is a delightful pasta dish that combines the sweetness of butternut squash with savory herbs, creating a comforting dish that will have everyone coming back for more.

There’s something inherently comforting about a creamy pasta dish and this Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe will not disappoint. The soft butternut squash sauce wraps around the al dente pasta making a satisfying mouthful with every single bite.

I love making butternut squash recipes like this easy squash soup and butternut squash pasta for my family because of all the goodness in the squash. Butternut squash is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, providing a healthful boost to this pasta dish.

Ingredients in Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe

It is easy to make a creamy butternut squash pasta sauce recipe with a few ingredients and simple spices. Here is what you will need to make butternut pasta at home:

• Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is loaded with minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, which help make this meal so nutritious.
• Onion: use a white or yellow onion in this recipe
• Garlic: fresh garlic will add more flavor but, in a pinch garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
• Chicken Broth: the squash will pick up a lot of flavor as it is cooked in the broth. Low-sodium or vegetable broth can be substituted.
• Fresh Thyme: I love the flavor of fresh thyme with butternut squash. Simply slide your fingers up the stem of the thyme to release the leaves. One teaspoon of dried thyme can be substituted, however, the fresh thyme will add the best flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Nutmeg goes so well with any squash recipe, so it makes sense that it is delicious in this butternut squash pasta sauce.
• Salt and Black Pepper: follow the recipe, or add to taste
• Heavy Cream: this is where the creaminess in the butternut sauce comes in
• Pasta Water: while cooking the pasta, scoop 2 cups of water from the pot to help make the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: buy a block and shred the cheese yourself if possible, the bagged cheeses don’t melt as easily sometimes.
• Fettuccine Pasta: these thick noodles are delicious in this recipe, but could be substituted with linguine or shaped pasta like bowties.

How to make Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce

Butternut sauce recipe can be made all in one pan, making it perfect for a busy weeknight meal. Let’s walk through the simple steps to make creamy butternut pasta sauce.

1. Prepare the Butternut Squash: start by carefully cutting off the top and bottom of the squash, then peel it using a sharp kitchen knife. Slice it into two halves, top and bottom. Cut the bottom half of the squash into two halves, then scoop out the seeds from the inside of the squash. Lastly, cut the squash into smaller pieces.
2. Cook the Squash: Place the chopped squash pieces, diced onion, minced garlic, and chicken broth into a pan with a lid. Season with salt, and black pepper. Bring the broth to a boil, turn the heat to medium, cover with a lid, and cook until the squash is soft when poked with a fork. This will take about 7 minutes.
3. Blend the Butternut Squash: When the squash is done cooking, add in the butter, thyme, and nutmeg. Cook for an additional 30 seconds. Use an immersion blender or stand blender to process the squash until it is smooth and no more lumps are in the sauce. Place the squash back into the pan once blended.
4. Add the Heavy Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the pan with the squash and stir to combine. Bring the cream to a simmer to thicken the sauce. At this point, add in the pasta water to help loosen the sauce and thin it out as needed.
5. Mix in the Parmesan Cheese: while the sauce is still hot, remove it from the heat and stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until it is melted and mixed in.
6. Add the Cooked Pasta: Cook the pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions until just cooked. Place the pasta into the pan with the butternut squash sauce and stir to coat the pasta with the sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add some protein: chicken is a delicious addition to this butternut pasta sauce. Just add cooked chicken pieces or cook ground chicken to add to the sauce.
• Spice it up: to make a spicy butternut squash pasta sauce, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add in the spices.

How to Store Butternut Pasta Sauce

Place the sauce into an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place a portion into a bowl with a plate used as a lid or partially covered. Cook in 30-second increments, stirring between, until heated through.

Can I Freeze Butternut Sauce?

Yes, just follow these simple instructions.

To freeze this sauce, cook the butternut squash and blend until smooth. At this point, place in a zip-top bag and lay flat before placing into the freezer.

When you are ready to make the sauce, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator, microwave, or in a pan over medium-low heat until heated through. Add the heavy cream and continue making the sauce according to the recipe instructions.

What to Serve with Butternut Squash Pasta

This dish is delicious on its own, but if you want to make it a full meal, consider serving it with some Crusty Bread, a side salad, some Garlic Butter Asparagus, or Broccoli.

Other Pasta Sauce Recipes to Try:

Need some other pasta recipes to add to your menu? Here are some of our fam favorites:

• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta: this is a simple dish with a light lemon sauce that comes together quickly with little ingredients.
• Creamy Tortellini Pasta: made with sausage and tortellini in a creamy sauce, this dish is another fam favorite.
• Asiago Chicken Fettuccine: Asiago Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy, cheesy, and indulgent dish featuring a cream sauce made with asiago cheese.