Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta is a super cosy, warming and comforting dish that is bursting with fall flavor, and is still healthy and nutrient dense. It is made with some fusilli pasta, roasted butternut squash and a simple butter and parmesan sauce. This recipe is all about the sweet squash - the perfect pasta dish for Autumn.
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Butternut squash, when roasted, just transforms into these deliciously sweet bites. When combined with the fragrant (and often underused) thyme and mixed with a little butter and Parmesan, it really is a delicious and light meal - but total comfort food.
Pasta with butternut squash will quickly become and autumn favourite. We LOVE butternut squash and think it is super versatile, but very underrated. This roasted butternut squash pasta is one of our favourite ways to use it.
We love a simple pasta dish, as we think that simple is best. Why not try our Cabbage Pasta, Cherry Tomato Pasta, Easy Bacon Pasta or Garlic Kale Spaghetti?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - We used fusilli pasta, but really any pasta will work - try penne or conchigli. Spaghetti or tagliatelle would work too as the roasted butternut squash would sit nicely on top of it.
- Butternut squash - This really is the star of the dish and it gets lovely and crispy. You could swap it for sweet potato if you prefer, but we find that a bit too carb heavy.
- Shallots - The chunkiness of the shallots adds some extra texture and once roasted they are nice and sweet which compliments the sweetness of the butternut squash. You can add some crushed garlic cloves too if you like.
- Butter and oil - This helps to make the sauce for the butternut squash pasta and loosens it all up a little. We also reserve some of the water from the drained pasta, as it helps to make the sauce creamy. Never throw away all the pasta water - it's like gold for pasta sauces. Use the best quality olive oil that you can, as you will be able to taste the difference.
- Parmesan - Cheese and pasta are the perfect match. A little parmesan helps to make the sauce (or non sauce) creamy and adds lots of flavour. You could use a mature cheddar instead or even top it with some goats cheese.
- Thyme - Usually we would pair butternut squash with sage, but we think that thyme just really works with this pasta dish. Plus it looks pretty sprinkled on top.
- Salt and pepper - To taste.
Variations
We try to make all of our recipes as easy to adapt as possible. You could roast up some chunks of chicken breast along with the butternut squash, or you could fry some prawns (shrimp) just before serving to put on top. For a plant based protein, add some chickpeas.
Vegetables - Why not try roasting some other vegetables alongside the butternut squash. Mushrooms, carrot and peppers would work well.
Cheese - Not a fan of parmesan? Dry fry some halloumi and serve that on top of the roasted butternut squash pasta dish instead, or even crumble on some goats cheese.
If you want to make this butternut squash pasta recipe even more indulgent, then grilled and chop some bacon or proscuitto to sprinkle on top before serving.
You really don't have to over complicate pasta dishes with lots of different vegetables, an over-the-top sauce, or more than one cheese. Keep things simple and let the star ingredients really shine through.
How to Make Butternut Squash Pasta
Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
One: Mix the butternut squash cubes with the half the oil and season. Put on a baking tray and put into the oven for 20 minutes.
Two: Add the shallots to the tray of butternut squash and put back in the oven for 10 minutes until the butternut squash is tender.
Three: Put the pasta in a pan of boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, with a little bit of bite.
Four: Drain the pasta and add the the butternut squash and shallots and the rest of the ingredients and toss it all together well. Serve topped with extra thyme and Parmesan and maybe a little drizzle of olive oil.
Serving Suggestions
We think this is a pretty filling dish on it's own, however if you wanted to serve something with it, then you can't go wrong with garlic bread. Try our Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread.
If you want to serve this butternut squash pasta with something green, then why not try our Little Gem Salad or Rocket Salad. Some Lemon Asparagus or Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli go well too.
Dannii's Top Tips
- The thyme goes really well with the butternut squash and Parmesan, however it isn't essential and could be left out. Dried sage works well too.
- Feel free to add some extra protein to this dish with some roasted chicken or even some prawns.
- Not a fan of Parmesan? Swap it for some dry-fried halloumi chunks or even some crumble goats cheese.
- Don't forget to add a splash of the pasta water to this to help loosen up the sauce.
- Top with pine nuts for some added crunch.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to freshen the dish up.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have leftovers of this, then it will keep in an air tight container for up to 3 days. To reheat it, add it to a frying pan with a little bit of water to heat through. It will be a bit dry, so the water is needed. If you have leftovers of this, then it will keep in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
We wouldn't recommend freezing this dish as it will be too dry once defrosted. We prefer to keep leftovers in the fridge and serve them as a pasta salad the next day.
You can make this vegan by swapping the Parmesan for a plant based option and also using a vegan butter. If you want this to be a vegetarian dish, then you need to use a vegetarian Italian hard cheese. Most supermarket own brands usually are.
Slice it in half around the middle and using a heavy duty peeler or knife, peel off the skin in downwards strokes. You want to peel until you see orange flesh (no green lines left).
Once you have peeled both halves, slice the flatter half in two to reveal the seeds. Take a spoon and scoop out the seeds (keep them to roast too - great as a snack). Chop the butternut squash into cubes.
More Butternut Squash Recipes
If you've tried this butternut squash pasta recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
Ingredients
- 140 g (5 oz) Fusilli pasta
- 350 g (2.5 cups) Butternut squash - cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 Shallots - peeled and quartered
- 10 g (0.33 oz) Butter
- 40 g (0.33 cups) Parmesan
- 5 g (0.25 oz) Thyme - finely chopped
- Sea salt and ground black pepper - (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Mix 350 g Butternut squash with 2 tablespoon Olive oil and Sea salt and ground black pepper. Put on a baking tray and put in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Add 3 Shallots to the butternut squash and cook for 10 more minutes.
- Meanwhile, put 140 g Fusilli pasta in a pan of boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes, until done.
- Mix the roasted butternut squash and shallots in with the pasta and mix in 10 g Butter, 40 g Parmesan and 5 g Thyme.
- Serve topped extra thyme and Parmesan.
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have any penne pasta, you could use fusilli instead.
- The sage goes really well with the butternut squash and ricotta, however it isn't essential and could be left out.
- Feel free to add some extra protein to this dish with some roasted chicken or even some prawns.
- Not a fan of ricotta? Swap it for some dry-fried halloumi chunks.
- Don't forget to add a splash of the pasta water to this to help loosen up the sauce.
- Top with pine nuts for some added crunch.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to freshen the dish up.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
How delicious!!! I love this combination of flavors!! Hope Dannii and the baby are doing well! xoxo
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I've been using ricotta a lot recently, I love how creamy it it. Barilla pasta is such good quality and always tastes so great.
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
Tasty and healthy and of course being Italian pasta will always be on top of my list! Yum yum.. and I love squash too.
GALINA says
These are my favourite flavours, I love butternut squash and sage, and with ricotta it is a winning combination.
kate @ VeggieDesserts says
This is such a lovely dish! At this time of year I always crave comfort food, and butternut squash, sage and pasta are perfect for it. I agree, Barilla is great pasta and a store-cupboard essential.
Renz says
That roasted squash is beautiful. I love love pasta and the addition of the ricotta with the squash i'm sure is delicious
Sarah Irving | Susty Meals says
Yum! Autumn in a bowl! I love squash and sage together, they make such a magnificent pair. I think for my personal taste, I would blitz some of the squash with a little bit of stock to make a smooth sauce :) Mmmm, thinking of pasta for the meal plan for the week after next already! :D
Sarah says
I love the pasta and squash combo. I love the pasta and cheese combo. I love the squash and sage combo...so...surely, this dish must taste amazing!! Can't wait to try it ASAP! XO
Gem @ gemsupnorth.co.uk says
This pasta looks so tasty, like I want to go make it now. At the moment I can't eat cheese but I think with the butternut squash and sage it would still taste great.
I didn't know that pasta dated back to 1st century AD, that is crazy!!
Definitely going to trying this pasta!
Gem | gemsupnorth.co.uk
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I fall into that rare breed of people that are not huge fans of pasta - but, any pasta with delicious, caramelized roasted butternut squash is worth trying! YES - all vegetables definitely do taste better roasted!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Pasta is indeed a great food; so convenient, and can be dressed up in all kinds of delicous ways.
Your recipe looks lovely; not only delicious, but nutritious and simple enough to just make on a whim. And yes, roasted vegetables always do taste amazing!
Sharon says
Yum!!! What a great recipe for butternut squash. I've only ever used it in soup but I'm glad to have another use for it. And that ricotta looks great! In the states, our ricotta looks a little wetter and less crumbly.
LaaLaa says
This I'd love to have for lunch or dinner, looks hearty. I haven't had pasta in a long while xo
Tiff says
I haven't tried safe before. What does it taste like? Is it easy to get hold of?
Courtney Wells says
I never know what to do with butternut squash, apart from put it in soup. I love this idea! We eat a lot of pasta, so this is perfect x