Velvety Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe You’ll Love

Creamy butternut squash pasta sauce blends velvety textures with rich autumn flavors.

Seasonal ingredients dance together in this comforting dish.

Smooth roasted squash creates a luscious base for an incredible sauce.

Warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon complement the natural sweetness of the butternut.

Each spoonful offers a delightful balance of earthy and smooth notes.

Comfort meets gourmet in this simple yet elegant recipe.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this soul-warming sauce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce: What Goes In

• Butternut Squash: Sweet autumn vegetable packed with nutrients, select firm and heavy squash with deep color and no soft spots.
• Garlic Cloves: Aromatic flavor enhancer, choose plump and firm cloves without green sprouts.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve golden caramelization, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasoning to elevate natural squash sweetness, use freshly ground black pepper for intense taste.

• Onion: Provides depth and sweetness, select firm onions without bruises.
• Vegetable Broth: Creates silky texture and adds subtle savory notes, choose low-sodium for better control.
• Sage: Earthy herb that complements squash perfectly, use fresh leaves for most intense flavor.
• Nutmeg: Warm spice that adds complexity, freshly grated gives superior taste.

• Heavy Cream or Coconut Milk: Adds luxurious richness and smoothness, choose full-fat version for best results.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings salty, umami depth, select freshly grated for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds freshness and color, chop just before serving.

Tools for a Smooth Butternut Pasta Sauce Experience

• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting butternut squash and garlic evenly.
• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling pasta with enough space for water and noodles.
• Large Skillet: Ideal for sautéing onions and preparing the creamy sauce.
• Immersion Blender: Quickly blends roasted squash into smooth sauce right in the skillet.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef’s Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable cutting.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add olive oil, salt, and spices.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.

Sauce-Making Steps for a Perfect Pasta Pairing

• Prepare Squash Treasure

Chop the butternut squash into bite-sized pieces and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread these golden chunks on a baking sheet with whole garlic cloves and send them into a hot 400F oven for a roasting adventure.

• Transform Vegetables into Silky Sauce

After roasting creates deep caramelized flavors, transfer the tender squash and soft garlic into a skillet. Pour in vegetable broth and sprinkle sage and nutmeg for an aromatic dance. Blend everything into a velvety smooth mixture using an immersion blender.

• Enrich the Sauce

Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk to create a luxurious texture. Fold in Parmesan cheese for a salty punch. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Tumble the noodles into the creamy squash sauce, coating every strand with golden, rich goodness.

• Elevate and Serve

Spoon the pasta into warm bowls. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese. Enjoy this comforting, autumn-inspired meal that transforms simple ingredients into somethingal.

Butternut Sauce Upgrades You’ll Want to Try

• Cube butternut squash into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during roasting.
• Swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a creamy, vegan-friendly sauce that maintains rich texture and adds subtle tropical notes.
• Use an immersion blender directly in the skillet for smoother sauce preparation, eliminating messy transfers and reducing cleanup time.
• Enhance the sauce by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat or incorporating fresh thyme alongside sage for deeper herbal complexity.
• Prepare sauce ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently reheat with additional pasta water to restore original creamy consistency before serving.

Serving Butternut Sauce with Pasta or More

• Creamy Comfort Bowl: Serve the pasta in deep, warm bowls that showcase the vibrant orange sauce, creating a cozy meal perfect for chilly evenings.
• Herbal Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle fresh chopped sage or parsley on top to add a burst of color and fresh herbal notes that complement the rich, creamy sauce.
• Crunchy Texture Boost: Scatter toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy breadcrumbs over the pasta to introduce a delightful crunch that contrasts with the smooth sauce.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta on top for those wanting extra protein and a more substantial meal.

Keep Butternut Sauce Ready for Later

• Whip up double the sauce and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick weeknight meals. Perfect for busy professionals and meal preppers looking to save time.
• Keep the sauce in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. The creamy texture remains delicious when gently reheated on the stovetop with a splash of broth to restore smoothness.
• Experiment with different squash varieties like acorn or kabocha for unique flavor profiles. Adjust liquid quantities slightly to maintain ideal sauce consistency.
• Transform remaining sauce into a creamy soup by adding more vegetable broth, or use as a delicious spread on sandwiches and toast. Versatility means zero food waste and maximum flavor enjoyment.

FAQs

• Is butternut squash healthy?

Yes, it’s packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. It supports immune health, promotes good vision, and helps maintain healthy skin.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! This sauce works great with penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine. Choose a pasta with ridges or curves that will hold the sauce well.

• How can I make this recipe vegan?

Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. These substitutions maintain the creamy texture and add rich flavor.

• Do I need special equipment to blend the sauce?

Not really. An immersion blender works best, but a regular blender or food processor will also create a smooth sauce. Just be careful when transferring hot liquids.

Silky Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade butternut squash pasta sauce brings creamy Mediterranean comfort to classic Italian noodles. Rich garlic and sage notes complement roasted squash, creating a silky smooth dinner perfect for cool autumn evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, rigatoni, or penne)
• 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs/907 g), peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 3 tbsps olive oil, divided
• 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for vegan option)
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 tsp dried sage (or 2–3 fresh sage leaves)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or grated Parmesan, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Roast Preparation: Cube butternut squash into uniform pieces and separate garlic cloves, positioning them on a baking sheet and generously coating with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Oven Configuration: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), creating an optimal roasting environment for caramelizing vegetables until golden and tender, approximately 25-30 minutes.
3. Sauce Foundation: Sauté onions in a spacious skillet until translucent, then introduce roasted squash and garlic, blending with vegetable broth, sage, and nutmeg to develop a complex flavor profile.
4. Sauce Transformation: Utilize an immersion blender to puree the vegetable mixture into a silky-smooth consistency, incorporating heavy cream or coconut milk for enhanced richness.
5. Cheese Integration: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and seamlessly integrated, creating a luxurious texture.
6. Pasta Completion: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then transfer directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating and adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water.
7. Final Presentation: Plate the pasta immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, ready to enjoy this warm, seasonal culinary creation.

Notes

• Optimize Squash Roasting: Cut butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even caramelization and prevent uneven cooking.
• Enhance Sauce Creaminess: Use an immersion blender or high-powered blender for ultra-smooth texture, removing any potential vegetable chunks.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add pasta water gradually to adjust thickness, preventing the sauce from becoming too thin or too thick.
• Dietary Adaptation Tricks: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg