Pan Fried Butternut Squash Pasta is the perfect comfort food recipe for fall. Al dente pasta is pan fried with creamy butternut squash until hot, crisp, and delicious!
October is national pasta month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with butternut squash pasta.
With a family that loves pasta as much as mine does I’m always trying to come up with exciting new combinations. This recipe for pan fried butternut squash pasta is so simple.
It only requires 5 ingredients (plus salt, pepper, and Parmesan if you desire) and about 30 minutes to get it done. That makes it a healthy weeknight option that might even get your kids excited about squash.
The trick to this recipe is allowing the squash to cook until soft, then getting it nice and crispy for added texture. Adding a little cheese gives it extra richness and flavor, but will also help it crisp up before adding it to the pasta. In my opinion, this is the perfect fall recipe because it has great harvest flavors and is super warm and comforting without being heavy and full of calories.
As a family of mostly vegetarians we’re always looking to get more protein into our diets, especially on the beloved pasta night. I love that a one-cup cooked serving of Dreamfields pasta provides 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein!
That’s definitely going to help fill everyone up, which really just means there will be more pasta for me. Probably my favorite thing though is that it totally tastes like the pastas you’re used to – none of that strange taste or texture that a lot of healthier pastas have.
Pan fried butternut squash pasta can be customized! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add the pasta to the squash before the final five minutes of cooking to crisp the pasta as well
- Stir in roughly chopped greens such as spinach or kale in the final minutes of cooking until wilted
- After cooking top with a combination of cheese, breadcrumbs, and olive oil, then broil until brown and bubbly
- Use whatever pasta shape you have on hand
- Leave out the cheese to make vegan butternut squash pasta
More butternut squash recipes
- Butternut Squash Risotto with Kale
- Butternut Squash Enchiladas with black beans
- Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Vegetarian Quesadillas with Butternut Squash
Pan Fried Butternut Squash Pasta
Ingredients
- 13 ounces elbow pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small butternut squash,, peeled, seeded, and shredded (about 3 cups)
- Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend or Mozzarella
- 6-8 fresh sage leaves
- Parmesan cheese and additional olive oil for topping, (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the squash and ½ cup of water. Season with salt and pepper. Allow the squash to cook until it starts to disintegrate, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more water ¼ cup at a time if it starts to dry out. Don’t add too much water toward the end, you don’t want the squash to get soupy.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook just to al dente, so it is cooked but still a little firm. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain. While the pasta is cooking, increase the heat on the squash to medium high and add the Italian cheese blend. Thoroughly combine, then let the mixture fry in the pan for about 5 minutes, stirring two or three times, so that it begins to caramelize and get crunchy in spots. Remove from the heat and combine the squash with the pasta. If it seems too dry add a little pasta water and mix thoroughly.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and fry until crisp (it should happen fairly quickly). Transfer the sage to paper towels to drain.
- Serve pasta garnished with whole or crumbled sage leaves, a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Gretchen says
Exited to try with a spiral noodle, although we like all noodles. My children are noodle heads! They would eat noodles every day if i let them! Thanks for yummy recipes!
Daraya says
I would love to try their Penne Rigate pasta! 🙂
Elle says
I like spaghetti best.
debbie says
We are also vegetarians and this pasta sounds like a great addition to our menus. I’d love to try the angel hair.
Victoria says
I’d most like to try the linguine, becuase that’s what I use the most often, and the lasagna, because I never make homemade lasagna but would like to
Katrina says
I’m a good old fashioned spaghetti girl myself. 🙂
Kendal Barriere says
We love Dreamfields Penne pasta.
Ellen c. says
I’d like to try the linguine. Thanks for the chance.
Laura J says
Oh I am most excited to try the Penne Rigate! My favorite!
Jessica says
I’m excited to try their spaghetti.
Lauren says
elbows
Sarah Hall says
I would like to try the Rotini in a good pasta salad.
Carolsue says
I want to try the Penne Rigate
amanda whitley says
i am excited to try the elbows since i cook with them the most.
Erin Hussman says
Good old Elbows would be my pick.
My toddler loves them.
Jan Hammersmith says
I like the elbow macaroni
Melina R says
I would like to try the penne pasta first.
Cori Westphal says
I think I’d probably use the Spaghetti the most!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Annette says
I’m most excited to try Dreamfields elbows.
Melissa L. says
I am most excited to try the rotini. Thanks for the chance!