Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Butternut squash, spinach, and cream combine to form a decadently rich sauce in this easy, 35-minute, vegetarian pasta dish that's an obvious choice for a busy weeknight.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 427 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
• 2 cups cubed butternut squash
• 2 teaspoons rubbed dried sage
• 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash and saute until fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic, sage, and thyme; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Fold in cream and spinach; bring to a simmer. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Add ziti and toss until evenly coated. Cook until sauce has thickened, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Divide between 8 bowls. Top with walnuts and more Parmesan.