Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta
A creamy and delicious pasta dish featuring butternut squash puree, garlic, bacon, and cheese, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Pasta and Bacon
- 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 3 slices bacon (diced) Cooked until brown and crispy
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Melted in skillet
- 4 cloves garlic (minced) Cook until fragrant
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Whisked into the sauce
- 1.5 cups whole milk Gradually whisked in
- 1.5 cups butternut squash puree Can be homemade
- 1.5 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage Added to the sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 0.75 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese Stirred into the sauce
- 0.25 cups heavy cream Added for richness
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper To taste
Optional Topping
- 2 cups leftover diced rotisserie chicken Optional for protein addition
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain well.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk in the flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the butternut squash puree, sage, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and heavy cream until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finally, add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to combine.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with bacon and sage if desired.
Notes
For leftovers, let the pasta cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for about 3-4 days. To reheat, warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if needed.