Creamy Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta Dish

Alfredo Pasta with Butternut Squash

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Total Duration: 40 minutes Yield: 4

Pasta enveloped in a rich parmesan sauce blended with pureed roasted butternut squash!

ingredients

• 3 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth (link) (or vegetable broth or cream)
• 8 ounces pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sage, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), shredded
• 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

directions

1. Coat the butternut squash in oil, adding salt and pepper to taste, and spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. Roast in a preheated 400F/200C oven until the butternut squash is tender, approximately 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
3. Blend the butternut squash with the broth in a food processor or blender.
4. In the meantime, begin cooking the pasta according to the package instructions.
5. Also, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
6. Incorporate the garlic and sage and sauté until fragrant, about one minute.
7. Pour in the cream, bringing it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes.
8. Stir in the cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
9. Combine the butternut squash puree and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, optionally adding some reserved cooking water to achieve the desired sauce consistency.

Option: Roast an entire head of garlic alongside the butternut squash.
Option: Include 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges, roasting it with the butternut squash.
Option: Incorporate 4 ounces of bacon (or pancetta)! Omit the butter, cook the bacon, set it aside, and utilize the bacon grease instead of the butter.
Option: Add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
Option: Mix in 1 tablespoon of chopped rosemary along with the sage.
Option: Include 1 tablespoon of chopped thyme along with the sage.
Option: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes together with the garlic.
Option: Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon with the nutmeg.