Butternut-Squash Pasta Sauce

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butternut-squash-sauce-1006med102379.jpg
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
8

A smooth, creamy sauce comes together quickly when seasoned butternut squash and garlic are pureed in a food processor with water.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 1 ½ pounds)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon dried rubbed sage

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • 5 cloves garlic, peel on

  • 1 cup half-and-half

  • Pasta (such as cheese ravioli or any short pasta), for serving

  • Toppings, such as grated Parmesan cheese, chopped toasted walnuts, finely chopped fresh sage

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a large, sharp knife, trim ends; halve squash crosswise to separate bulb from neck. Peel with a vegetable peeler. Cut both pieces in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out seeds; discard.

  2. Cut squash into 2-inch chunks; transfer to a small rimmed baking sheet. Toss with oil and sage; season generously with salt and pepper. Scatter garlic around squash. Roast until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Remove and discard skin from garlic.

  3. Transfer squash and garlic to a food processor; puree. With motor running, add half-and-half through the feed tube; process until smooth. Add 1 to 2 cups water; continue to process until smooth, adding water to thin if necessary. Season again generously with salt. (To freeze, see below.)

  4. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat. Add some pasta water to thin sauce if necessary. Serve with desired toppings.

Cook's Notes

To freeze: cool sauce to room temperature; transfer to airtight containers, leaving 1 inch of space. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to use, place plastic containers upside-down under hot tap water to help release frozen blocks of sauce. Place blocks in a large saucepan; cover and reheat over medium-low, adding water to thin if necessary.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, October 2006
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