Ingredients
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 16 oz bag of frozen diced butternut squash
- 1.5 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb pasta
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Vegetables: Spread the frozen diced butternut squash, chopped fresh tomatoes, and sliced yellow onion evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season and Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables and then sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and dried thyme evenly on top.
- Toss Vegetables: Use a spatula or your hands to toss the vegetables, ensuring they are well coated with oil and seasonings.
- Roast Vegetables: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the vegetables at 450°F for 20 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Cook Pasta: While the vegetables roast, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the cooked pasta, measure out and reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set aside.
- Blend Sauce: Transfer the hot roasted vegetables directly from the oven into a blender. Add the reserved pasta water and blend until smooth and creamy to create the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large bowl and pour the butternut squash sauce over it. Toss well to evenly coat all the noodles.
- Serve: Serve immediately. For extra flavor, top with grated parmesan cheese or a plant-based parmesan alternative if preferred.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh butternut squash if frozen is unavailable—just cube and roast the same way.
- Adjust the amount of pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- For a vegan version, omit parmesan or use a vegan-friendly cheese alternative.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
- Add fresh basil or parsley for garnish to enhance flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta Sauce
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian