This delicious Butternut Squash Pasta features juicy meat, tender penne, and a thick, cheesy sauce for the perfect comfort food! This pasta recipe is an easy weeknight meal everyone will love.
1cupreserved pasta wateryou'll use this to thin the sauce if needed
1poundground turkeychicken or beef
Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce
110 ounce bag frozen butternut squash cubes
1cupmilk
1tablespoonbutter
1teaspoonminced garlic
1 1/4cupshredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4cupgrated parmesan cheese
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1/4teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspoonblack pepper
Instructions
In a large pot bring salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the 2 cups of elbow noodles according to the directions until al dente. Drain, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, brown the meat in a skillet and drain off any grease.
Cook the frozen butternut squash until soft (this can be steamed in the microwave or boiled until fork tender)
In a blender, combine the tender butternut squash and 1 cup of milk, and blend until smooth.
In the same pot, you cooked the pasta in heat to medium heat. Melt the butter and sauté the garlic. Pour in the butternut squash and milk mixture, and then bring to a simmer. Stir in the spices, cheddar cheese, and parmesan until smooth.
Add the cooked pasta and meat to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick for your liking pour 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water as needed, stir, and when the sauce has reached your desired consistency, serve.