September 16, 2014

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Skillet

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This cozy and creamy butternut squash pasta skillet is a fantastic Fall dinner! With whole wheat pasta, a butternut squash sauce, fresh rosemary and sage, it’s perfect for the season. Vegetarian.

Two white plates filled with servings of Butternut Squash Pasta Skillet.

Note: This recipe is NOT dairy free. It was published before Cook Nourish Bliss transitioned to dairy free recipes and remains popular with long time readers. You can try using substitutions to make it dairy free, however I have not tested this myself and can’t say how it will turn out.

Brace yourself. For squashy, orange goodness over the course of the next two months. Or more, we’ll see. Depends on how big of a recipe bender I go on.

I know some people are all about the pumpkin right now but for me? Butternut squash is where. it’s. at.

And today I’m bringing you pasta. Comforting, creamy, cheesy. That’s three C’s of awesome right there.

Oh and there’s butternut squash sauce. 

Which helps make it so nice and creamy … and therefore not completely terrible for you at all. Which is good because I’ve consumed a number of filled-to-the-brim bowls.

A stainless skillet filled with Butternut Squash Pasta Bake.

Two white plates filled with Butternut Squash Pasta with a fork to the side.

About This Butternut Squash Pasta Bake

In addition to the squash-y sauce, we have some other veggies and plenty of fresh rosemary and sage. Because they scream fall.

And there’s some cheese. Not a ton ton, but just enough to make you happy. And enough to make you fight your husband for the last portion in the skillet.

Ahem, not that I know anything about that.

Or being super sneaky and hiding some of the leftovers in the back of the fridge where he’ll never look.

But really. Just look at that. Yes. Just yes.

A white dish filled with Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce and shells with a fork in the dish.

Additional Butternut Squash Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Skillet | cookiemonstercooking.com

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Skillet

Yield: 5 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

This cozy and creamy butternut squash pasta skillet is a fantastic Fall dinner! With whole wheat pasta, a butternut squash sauce, fresh rosemary and sage, it’s perfect for the season. Vegetarian.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces whole wheat pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 4 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cups bite-sized pieces of kale (stems removed before chopping!)
  • 1 ½ cups butternut squash puree (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves
  • 1 ½ cups freshly shredded provolone cheese, divided
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • â…“ cup raw walnuts, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, set a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add in the olive oil. When hot, add in the onion and cook for about 2 minutes, until it starts to soften. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add in the carrot and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Add in the kale and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, until bright green and slightly wilted.
  4. Add in the butternut squash puree, milk, vegetable broth, rosemary and sage. Mix until combined then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (increasing the heat slightly). Let the mixture simmer gently for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring fairly often, until it thickens up a bit (it won’t be super thick - just saucy). Turn off the heat.
  5. Add in the drained pasta and ½ cup of the provolone cheese. Mix until combined. Taste and season with salt / pepper (I usually add about ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper).
  6. Top with the remaining 1 cup provolone, the parmesan and the walnuts.
  7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is nice and melted.

Notes

If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, proceed as directed above and then transfer the pasta/sauce/veggie mixture to a baking dish (a 9x13 should work fine) and then top with the remaining provolone, parmesan and walnuts. Bake as directed.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 375Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 380mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 18g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

© Ashley / Cook Nourish Bliss
Cuisine: American / Category: Main Dish
Main Dish, Meatless, Pasta, Recipes (ALL), Vegetarian, Weeknight
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