Butternut Squash Penne Recipes

PENNE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, peel the butternut squash and shred on the large holes of a box grater. Combine the olive oil and pancetta in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Stir in the marjoram, then the shredded squash and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the squash is just tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the pasta and 3/4 cup of the cooking water to the dutch oven. Cook, tossing, until the pasta is coated with the sauce, 1 to 2 minutes, adding the remaining cooking water as needed. Season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with the parmesan.

PENNE WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• 2. Toss the squash cubes in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt (if using) and mix well. Spread onto a baking pan in a single layer and roast for 20 to 30 minutes until soft. Increase the oven temperature to broil and broil the squash for 2 minutes more.
• 3. When the squash is almost done, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt (if using) and the penne and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta.
• 4. Place half of the squash into a blender along with the reserved pasta water and puree until it is smooth. It should have the consistency of tomato sauce.
• 5. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large pan over low heat. Add the onion and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt (if using) and cook until the onion is softened.
• 6. Add the squash puree and roasted squash cubes to the onion, and sauté for 1 minute.
• 7. Stir in the drained pasta, and remove the pan from the heat.
• 8. Stir in the Parmigiano, parsley, and pepper, and drizzle with the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil.

SAUSAGE AND SQUASH PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta and squash according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and onion; cook and stir until sausage is browned and onion is tender; keep warm., In a small bowl, mix the cooked squash, cheese, salt, parsley and pepper until blended. Drain pasta; transfer to a serving plate. Spoon squash mixture over pasta; top with sausage mixture. If desired, sprinkle with additional cheese and parsley.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PENNE WITH CHICKEN, BACON AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 13x9 pan liberally with non-stick spray. Start a pot of 5 qt water with liberal salt for the penne.
• Cook bacon until crisp over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. Drain bacon over paper towels and reserve 3 TBSP fat in pan.
• Salt and pepper chicken pieces. Cook chicken breast pieces in the bacon fat for about 4 minutes, until no longer pink in the center. Reserve chicken and tent with foil.
• Add enough olive oil to coat pan; add squash, salt, pepper and sage. Cover pan and stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes, until squash is semi-soft. Add onion and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, until onion is translucent. Add garlic, red pepper, and spinach to skillet and cook until spinach is wilted, 3-4 minutes.
• Do not cook your penne until al dente; it will continue to cook in the oven. Only cook for about 7 minutes.
• In a seperate saucepan cook flour over medium heat, gradually adding milk and whisking continuously until boiling. Boil for two minutes or until thickened; remove from heat and add cheese, stirring until melted.
• Add flour/milk/cheese mixture to pasta; add pasta to squash mixture. Stir in the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon. Add more milk if mixture is too thick. Spread mixture into 13x9 pan; sprinkle more cheese on top if desired. Cook in oven 15-20 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbling. Let cool for 10-15 minutes; serve.

PENNE WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PANCETTA, AND SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place butternut squash on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil; season with salt. Transfer to oven and roast until squash is browned and tender, about 15 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt water and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Set pasta and reserved cooking liquid aside.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add pancetta and cook until just crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add shallots, crushed red pepper, and sage. Cook until shallots are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add penne and squash and toss gently, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid as necessary to moisten.
• Add cheese and black pepper and cook, tossing gently, until pasta and squash are heated through. Serve immediately with more grated cheese, if desired.