Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta

Name: Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 429 grams butternut squash (, about 15 ounces or 3 cups chopped); 130 grams shallots (, about 4-5 or 4.5 ounces or ¾ cups chopped); 2 cloves garlic (, medium sized (adjust for your preferred garlic flavor)); ¾ - 1 teaspoon sea salt; Drizzle of oil or broth to roast; 1 ½ - 2 cups veggie broth (, low sodium if needed (depending on how thick you want it)); ½ - 1 cup PB2 cashew powder (, see note for other options); 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 12 ounces your favorite pasta (, gluten-free if needed); Fresh thyme (, optional for added flavor or garnish (sage or rosemary would work too)); Vegan Parmesan (, optional for topping)

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This creamy butternut squash pasta is vegan, so easy and uses a special ingredient that cuts the overall fat. But the flavor is still unreal!

Top view of a blue bowl with penne pasta mixed with creamy butternut squash sauce and topped with fresh thyme

This post was sponsored by PB2 Foods but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.

I can't stop eating this butternut squash pasta sauce with a spoon! It's so rich and delicious which is mind blowing since it doesn't use whole cashews.

Ingredients

To make this delectable butternut squash pasta sauce, you'll need the following:

Butternut squash , about 15 ounces or 3 cups chopped
Shallots , about 4-5 or 4.5 ounces or ¾ cups chopped
Garlic , medium sized (adjust for your preferred garlic flavor)
PB2 cashew powder
Veggie broth
Apple cider vinegar
Sea salt
Oil or broth

Top view of container of powdered cashew with ingredients to make butternut squash sauce

By this point you likely know the magical powers of cashews and how wonderfully creamy they can make a recipe. However, there's the soaking and blending that can make the process a little long. But now, there's a shortcut! By using PB2 Cashew Powder, you can create all the best healthy and creamy dishes in no time!

Not only is it easier to use than whole cashews, but it's healthy too! It has less fat and fewer calories, because they press out the oil and blend the cashews into a fine powder. It's still a great source of protein, and because literally the only ingredients is cashews, it's gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and free of preservatives!

While this powder can be used for baking and in smoothies, I wanted to create a savory pasta dish. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

A blue bowl with powdered cashew in it in front of the container

How to Make Butternut Squash Pasta

This pasta sauce is so simple to make, but the flavors are amazingly deep due to the roasting. Here's what to do:

Roast the butternut squash, shallots and garlic.
Blend roasted veggies with broth, cashew powder, and vinegar and pour over your pasta.
Serve and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

This butternut squash pasta sauce is so good, you want to make sure you get the most sauce per bite! Bigger pasta shapes are ideal since they have more surface area to soak up the goodness. Some great pasta shapes to try include:

Penne
Rigatoni
Ziti
Pappardelle
Bucatini

Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage and a sprinkle of Vegan Parmesan! You can serve this as a complete meal, or pair with any of the following:

Tips and tricks

Before you set out on your butternut squash pasta journey, make sure to check out these helpful hints:

If you don't have shallots you can substitute for sweet or yellow onion.
The low calorie and low fat powdered cashew helps give this sauce the creamy texture. If you can't wait to try the sauce without it, you can use 1 cup raw cashews.
If you are using whole cashews, soak them first if you don’t have a high speed blender, or use a coffee grinder to create a powder.
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper while roasting. It avoids sticking and makes for easy cleanup!
Adjust the thickness of the sauce with veggie broth, add more to make it thinner.
Peeled and cubed squash is best for roasting. You can prepare a fresh squash, or make it easy and use previously frozen!
You can make this sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or pop in the microwave.

Common Questions

Does butternut squash work for spaghetti?

If you love subbing out spaghetti squash for pasta and want to try the technique with butternut squash, don't. The butternut squash does not have the same stringy texture and will not shred into 'noodles'. However, the flavor tastes great with pasta so definitely pair the two!

What flavors go well with butternut squash?

This gourd pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors. Thyme, sage, rosemary, garlic, cumin, cayenne, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are all popular spices to use.

Is butternut squash a good carb?

One cup of cubed butternut squash contains 16 grams of carbohydrates. This wholesome food packs in a ton of nutrients and fiber, and are a healthy addition to your menu.

Do you have to peel butternut squash?

While technically edible, most choose to avoid eating the skin on butternut squash. The peels can be tough to remove, so some people choose to cook with the skin on then remove afterward. Using a sharp vegetable peeler is best for removing the skin before cooking.

More Vegan Butternut Squash Recipes

The every popular healthy gourd goes well in so many dishes! Try out these plant based recipes: