Creamy Orzo Pasta With Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes

CREAMY ORZO PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Peel, de-seed and cut butternut squash into bite-sized cubes, season with salt, pepper and 1 tbsp of olive oil or low calorie spray. Arrange on a shallow pan, scatter 4-5 sage leaves throughout and roast at 200C/400F for 45 minutes or until golden.
• 20 minutes before the squash is done, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a deep pan and saute chopped shallots, garlic and remaining minced sage leaves over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Add vegetables stock, salt and kale, bring to a boil, add orzo and cook according to package instructions for approximately 7-8 minutes until tender but al dente. Stir the orzo throughout the cooking process to release starch and to avoid it sticking to the bottom of a pan. If the mixture looks too thick add 1/2 cup of vegetable stock or water to maintain creamy, risotto like consistency. Take off the heat and stir in Parmesan cheese, salt to taste and top with roasted butternut squash.

PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a roasting pan with the olive oil. Place the squash and onion in the pan, and season with salt and pepper. Roast 30 minutes, or until squash is tender.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place penne pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey sausage until evenly brown. Transfer the cooked squash and onion and the cooked pasta to the skillet. Gradually pour in the cream. Season with sage. Continue cooking until heated through. Mix in garlic. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with balsamic vinegar to serve.

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• In a deep skillet, melt butter with oil over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and cook for about 6 minutes, or until tender and starting to brown.
• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add squash and stir.
• Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and simmer over medium heat until liquid is absorbed and squash is barely tender.
• While it is simmering, bring the remaining broth to a boil.
• Add orzo and cook for about 8 minutes, until cooked al dente.
• Drain any excess liquid.
• Combine squash mixture with orzo and heat together for a few minutes, until the squash is tender.
• Pour into a bowl and toss with basil and cheese.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.