Description
This Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce is a delicious and creamy plant-based sauce made by roasting butternut squash, tomatoes, and onions, then blending them until smooth. It provides a hearty, flavorful alternative to traditional cream-based pasta sauces, perfect for a comforting meal in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Sauce
- 16 oz bag of frozen diced butternut squash
- 1.5 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (any preferred type)
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese or plant-based parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare vegetables: Place the frozen cubed butternut squash, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season and oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables, and sprinkle salt, black pepper, and dried thyme on top.
- Toss to coat: Gently mix the vegetables on the baking sheet to ensure they are evenly covered with oil and seasonings for consistent flavor.
- Bake the vegetables: Roast the vegetables in the oven at 450°F for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Cook pasta: While the vegetables bake, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining the pasta, scoop out 1/3 cup of the starchy cooking water and set it aside for blending the sauce.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the hot roasted vegetables directly from the oven into a blender with the reserved pasta water. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Pour the blended sauce over the drained pasta in the pot or a serving bowl, and toss well to coat all the noodles evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped optionally with grated Parmesan cheese or plant-based parmesan for extra flavor.
Notes
- Using frozen butternut squash is a convenient and time-saving way to enjoy this recipe year-round.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after blending the sauce, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
- For a richer texture, you can add a splash of cream or plant-based milk before blending.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, pulse the blender fewer times to retain some texture.
- This sauce also works well with gluten-free or whole wheat pasta according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
