Butternut Squash Pasta with Walnuts & Sage
Total Time
40 mins
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Rating
4.9 out of 5 stars
(19)
Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups cubed butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (or vegan butter or more olive oil)
- 1 small shallot, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped sage leaves
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup cooked chickpeas
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- Big squeeze of lemon
- Splash balsamic vinegar
- 4-6 ounces spaghetti or linguine (and save some pasta water)
- A few handfuls of chopped spinach (or kale or chard)
- ½ cup chopped parsley
- Grated pecorino cheese (optional)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roast the butternut squash cubes with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper for about 20 minutes, or until they're soft and mostly cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 2
Cook pasta in salty water until al dente and reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter, then add the shallot and cook until translucent. Add the chopped sage and cook for another 30 seconds, then add the walnuts, chickpeas, butternut squash cubes, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chickpeas and squash brown a bit (but before the garlic burns).
Step 4
Add a big squeeze of lemon and a good splash of balsamic and stir.
Step 5
Add the cooked pasta and spinach. Use tongs to gently toss the pasta with everything in the pan, allowing the greens to wilt. Add pasta water to help loosen it (I used about ¼ cup).
Step 6
Add some grated pecorino at this step if you wish.
Step 7
Remove from heat, then stir in the chopped parsley.
Step 8
Taste and adjust seasonings and serve with extra grated cheese.
Step 9
Save recipe for the next time?
Chef's notes
Make this vegan by skipping the butter (or use vegan butter) and omit cheese. Make this gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
This butternut squash pasta recipe can be customized a thousand ways. Here are a few suggestions
Omit the pecorino if you’re vegan.
If you’re not vegan, try adding creamy feta or goat cheese, or use Parmesan instead of pecorino.
If you eat meat, toss in some crispy pancetta for a nice salty bite.
Swap the walnuts for pine nuts.
Use your favorite type of pasta! I like spaghetti or linguine, but whatever you have on hand will work here.
I threw some chickpeas into this dish because I had some on hand to use up, and it ended up being delicious – I encourage you to take inspiration from what’s in your kitchen as well.
