Description
Butternut squash pasta recipe made in a sweet and savory butter-based sauce with crispy bacon, parsley, thyme, Parmesan cheese, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound of butternut squash, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
- 5 slices of bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup of butter (1/2 stick)
- ¼ cup grated pecorino romano cheese
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 sprigs thyme, leaves removed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon packed dark brown sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- shaved parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and butternut squash. Cook pasta al dente, about 10 minutes. Butternut squash should be fork tender and fully cooked at the same time. Strain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Be sure to stir to prevent burning. Cook until just starting to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Discard the majority of the bacon fat, leaving a little behind in the pan for flavor.
- Melt the butter in the same pan. Add the garlic, thyme, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat for 2-3 minutes to let all the flavors soak together. Stir occasionally to mix.
- Add the pasta, butternut squash, olive oil, and bacon to the saucepan. Toss with tongs to fully coat the pasta in the sauce. Top with pecorino romano cheese and parsley and continue to toss. Serve topped with shaved parmesan cheese and a little extra parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 766
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 684g
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 14.9g
- Carbohydrates: 94.2g
- Fiber: 9.2g
- Protein: 19.8g
- Cholesterol: 53mg
Keywords: butternut squash pasta