Creamy pasta combining roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, and crispy sage in a flavorful autumn dish.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium butternut squash (about 2.5 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or fusilli)
→ Cheese & Dairy
04 - 5 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Herbs & Aromatics
07 - 15 fresh sage leaves
→ Pantry
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
12 - Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Toss squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the tray and roast for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
04 - In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter over medium heat. Fry sage leaves until crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Remove to paper towel to drain.
05 - Add chopped garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Add roasted squash to the skillet and gently mash about half the cubes with a spoon to form a creamy base.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Add the cooked pasta, goat cheese, Parmesan, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water as needed for a creamy sauce.
08 - Season with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately, topped with crispy sage leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.
