Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara

Published September 12, 2016. Updated December 2, 2018

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Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara is the perfect fall meal and it will likely become a staple for you this time of year. It’s deliciously creamy (even without egg), it’s rich and hearty, it has the perfect balance and blend of flavors (bacon + butternut squash + sage) and it’s a meal your whole family will enjoy, even my kids gave this a big thumbs up!

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara | Cooking Classy

Autumn Carbonara with Butternut Squash

The only tedious thing about this recipe to me is peeling, seeding and chopping up the squash into small cubes…it takes foreeeeever. Okay like 10 – 15 minutes, but 10 – 15 minutes can be precious these days so maybe I’ll have to try it out with the pre-cut stuff from the store to make it a quicker meal and see how it goes.

Really though this pasta is so good it is most definitely worth the chopping required so don’t hesitate to try it!

It is absolutely delicious and it’s the perfect comforting fall dish. And if you want to add extra bacon I won’t judge, I may or may not have added a little extra myself :).

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara | Cooking Classy

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

  • Bacon
  • Fresh sage
  • Yellow onion
  • Butternut squash
  • Garlic
  • Low-sodium chicken broth
  • Nutmeg
  • Heavy cream
  • Linguine
  • Parmesan

Butternut Squash Carbonara | Cooking Classy

How to Make Butternut Squash Carbonara

  • Cook bacon and sage.
  • Saute onion, squash and garlic.
  • Simmer with broth and nutmeg.
  • Cook pasta. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  • Puree squash mixture in blender then toss with pasta, along with needed pasta water.
  • Toss in parmesan. Serve with bacon and more parmesan.

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4.54 from 13 votes

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara

This Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara is the perfect fall meal and it will likely become a staple for you this time of year. It's deliciously creamy (even without egg), it's rich and hearty, it has the perfect balance and blend of flavors (bacon + butternut squash + sage) and it's a meal your whole family will enjoy, even my kids gave this a big thumbs up!
Servings: 5
Prep20 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook bacon in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat (reducing heat slightly if needed) until browned and crisp, add sage and toss to coat in drippings. 
  • Remove bacon and sage from skillet while leaving 2 Tbsp rendered bacon fat in skillet, transfer bacon and sage to a plate lined with paper towels, set aside.
  • Add onions to drippings in skillet and saute over medium-high heat 2 minutes, then add squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally 7 minutes (onions should be beginning to brown lightly). 
  • Add in garlic and cook, tossing occasionally, 2 minutes longer. Pour in chicken broth, sprinkle in nutmeg and bring to a boil then reduce heat and allow to simmer until broth has reduced by half, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook linguine to al dente in a large pot of salted water according to directions on package (ideally time it so pasta finishes cooking nearly the same time as the sauce is finished in the next step below). Drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  • Let simmered squash mixture cool for a few minutes then transfer mixture to a blender (reserve skillet) and add cream to blender*, cover with lid then remove lids center insert. While holding a folded kitchen towel over lid blend mixture until smooth.
  • In reserved skillet combined drained pasta, pureed squash mixture, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. 
  • Cook over medium heat, tossing and adding in more pasta water to thin as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. 
  • Toss in 1/3 cup parmesan, season with salt and pepper to taste. Plate and serve pasta topped with parmesan, bacon, sage and more pepper.

Notes

  • *With hot liquids your blender should be no more than half full so if you have a smaller blender work in two batches. 
  • Recipe source: adapted slightly from Bon Appetit
Nutrition Facts
Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara
Amount Per Serving
Calories 571 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 323mg14%
Potassium 921mg26%
Carbohydrates 83g28%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 17105IU342%
Vitamin C 36.3mg44%
Calcium 193mg19%
Iron 2.5mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.