Autumn is in the air and that means one thing: comfort food. This easy roasted butternut squash pasta is perfect for a cozy night in. The creamy sauce is spiced with sage, and the whole dish can be on your table with minimal hands-on time. So give your usual pasta routine a fall makeover with this delicious recipe.

This Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta is the perfect fall dish! There is something about settling in with a bowl of pasta that seems perfect this time of year.
You are going to love the crispy sage, crunchy walnuts, and the hint of saltiness from the parmesan. And of course, there is that delicious roasted butternut squash.
It's a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- Pasta: I used gluten-free, but regular pasta will be fabulous if you aren't avoiding gluten. Penner is my go-to here. It has a wonderful shape that allows the ingredients and flavor to coat the outside of the pasta as well as provides a flavor-packed surprise inside the pasta.
- Butternut squash: You can buy pre-cubed squash in the produce section of the grocery store - it is a big time saver.
- Olive oil: Since this is used for both roasting the squash and sautéing the onions and garlic, I recommend using regular olive oil rather than extra-virgin.
- Sage: This is a perfect complement to roasted squash and gives this dish an earthy flavor.
- Onion: Diced red onion provides a sweetness that helps to balance out the other flavors in the dish.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a nice depth of flavor to the sauce. I prefer fresh garlic, but garlic powder would work.
- Pepper Flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes give this Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta a little bit of heat.
- Butter: Use dairy-free butter such as Earth Balance if desired.
- Parmesan cheese: This is used for both flavor and garnish. If you are vegan or dairy-free, there are many great Parmesan substitutes on the market that work well in this dish.
- Walnuts: These are used as a garnish and add a lovely crunch. Pecans or hazelnuts would work in their place.
Tips and Tricks
- If you're short on time, you can use pre-cut butternut squash from your grocery store.
- This Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta is also great with spinach or kale mixed in.
- If you want a bit more of a spicy kick, add some additional red pepper flakes to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
- This Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta pairs well with a simple green salad.
- For an extra special treat, enjoy it with your favorite garlic bread.
Storage
This Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.
How To
First, start by roasting the butternut squash.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Mix the cubed squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Then, transfer the butternut squash mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the squash is fork tender.
While the squash is roasting, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
This is also the perfect time to fry the sage until it's nice and crispy.
After the sage has fried, place the onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the skillet, season them with salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes.
When the squash is done cooking, add butter to the skillet and let it melt.
Then, add the squash and pasta to the pan and stir until it is evenly combined.
Serve topped with Parmesan cheese, walnuts, and fried sage.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 ½ pounds butternut squash peeled and cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ cup fresh sage
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter or dairy-free butter
- 3 ounces shaved parmesan cheese or dairy-free parmesan
- ½ cup walnuts toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss together butternut squash, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet. Fry sage until crispy, about two minutes. Remove sage from skillet.
- Add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes
- Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add cooked pasta and butternut squash and toss until coated. Transfer to serving plates and top with sage, parmesan and walnuts.
Nutrition
If You Like Butternut Squash Pasta You May Also Like:
- Linguine Pasta with Spicy Tomato Cream
- Veggie Pasta Salad
- Arugula Pesto Pasta
- Quinoa Pasta Bake
Cricket Plunkett
This looks like the perfect fall dinner! So comforting I just need it in my life!
Alisa Fleming
Ooh, we haven't tried Barilla gluten-free! I've been looking for a new option since our favorite has been getting scarce. Love the butternut / walnut combo - I've never tried this with pasta!
Georgia Lynn
This sounds deliciously fall! I l never would have thought to add nuts to pasta!
Karen Yannacio Morse
I am literally DROOLING over this amazing recipe! Its PERFECT for fall! The combo of the squash and walnuts... I mean, this is one I am totally going to make! Yum!
Heather
I am a HUGE butternut squash fan and I love my Pasta Barilla! I wouldn't have thought to add the walnuts - yum! Thanks for the recipe. Definitely pinning this for later. 🙂
Suzanne Spiegoski-Decamps
I love pasta with butternut squash! And with parmesan cheese and walnuts?! Oh boy! Pinning for later 🙂
Kim
Yummy! Looks like a hearty way to make pasta for Fall. Butternut squash is perfect rjght now. Pinning for later!
Esme Sy
This looks yummy and so full of flavor. I love it when nuts are added to pasta. I can't wait to ry this.
Terri Steffes
I know I would love this! We've tried this pasta before and really like it, but we aren't gluten sensitive, so we tend to just buy the regular pasta. I can't wait to try this!
Debra Hawkins
Gluten free pasta is not very good and hard to make taste good so I can't wait to give this recipe a try.
Taylor Smith
Butternut squash is SO DELICIOUS. I love it. I have a FABULOUS butternut squash soup recipe. This looks so so so yummy.
Christine Cox
I have a friend that recently had to go gluten free for her son's health. I am totally going to share this recipe with her because she is just starting out so I am sure she will give it a try!!
Amanda Love
I love cooking with butternut squash, it's an awesome ingredient! I would love to give this recipe a try, it sounds so good and it's perfect for the season!
Positively Stacey
This sounds so delicious! I love chunks of parmesan cheese and have never tried walnuts in pasta before.
Brittany Muddamalle
I shouldn't have looked at this post at midnight my time! Now, I'm starving and want this so bad! This looks delicious!
Ana De Jesus
If there was ever a definition of food porn then this would be it, I love butternut squash. Pinned to make soon x
Angela Campos
Yum! This sounds amazing! I have some butternut squash from the garden, so will give this a try.
Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette
This looks so good!! It looks very colorful too! I've made butternut squash gnocchi before. I think I should give this a go! Pinned 🙂
Danity Donnaly
That looks so amazing. I can't wait to try this recipe at home. I LOVE squash! Amber N
Kristin
This looks very yummy! I cannot wait to give it a try! I love putting the warm flavor of nuts into dishes and this would be wonderful!
Anvita
I enjoy butternut squash and pumpkins this time of the year. I haven';t tried it with pasta ever though. I use it in curries but I would love to try this.
Becca Wilson
This looks downright delicious! I am going to have to be making this soon to try.
Koninika
That's such a great recipe appropriate for the season! I like how you've described it, feels so easy to try it out!
jillconyers
So many of my favorite ingredients in one dish. The fact that it's gluten free is a bonus.
Shannon Graham
Can't wait for butternut squash to come up in the garden!