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Creamy 20-Minute Crockpot Butternut Squash Pasta

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A rich, velvety pasta dish made in a slow cooker where butternut squash creates a creamy sauce without heavy cream, offering a comforting and nutritious weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • Fresh sage leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Peel and cube the butternut squash into 1-inch pieces and place them in the slow cooker insert.
  2. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and heavy cream (or coconut milk). Stir to ensure ingredients are submerged or well-coated.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until the squash is fork-tender and falling apart.
  5. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture directly in the pot until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. While the sauce cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  7. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker with the sauce. Stir to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  9. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and torn sage leaves. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  10. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Notes

Do not skip the nutmeg as it enhances the sweetness of the squash. Slow cookers trap steam, so avoid adding too much liquid to prevent a runny sauce. For a vegan version, use coconut milk and vegan Parmesan. The sauce freezes well without the pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: butternut squash pasta, crockpot pasta, slow cooker recipe, creamy squash sauce, vegetarian dinner, healthy comfort food, fall recipes

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/creamy-20-minute-crockpot-butternut-squash-pasta/