This deliciously healthy spicy butternut squash pasta is the perfect quick dinner idea. Soft pasta mixed with toasted herb coated walnuts, fried onions. wilted spinach and roasted butternut squash all enveloped in a creamy creme fraiche sauce flavoured with parmesan and chilli
Bread
Pasta
Walnut
This healthy butternut squash and spinach pasta recipe is ideal for a quick, comforting weeknight dinner. It’s easy to prepare and packed with seasonal ingredients, making it the perfect Autumn or Winter dinner, particularly when you are looking for something warm and nourishing. The dish combines tender tagliatelle with sweet roasted butternut squash, creamy crème fraiche, and earthy spinach, all accented with a touch of chili heat, savoury herbs, and crunchy, golden-browned walnuts. Serve it alongside warm, oven-fresh garlic bread for a delicious meal for two.
This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious and nutritious vegetarian meal without sacrificing flavour. Ideal for busy couples or individuals who want a quick, satisfying dinner after work, it’s a fantastic option for vegetarians or if your looking to eat less meat. It’s especially suited for those looking to add more plant-based meals into their routine without compromising on protein or flavour. The garlic bread on the side is an irresistible addition, making this meal as indulgent as it is wholesome.
This creamy butternut squash pasta delivers a delightful mix of flavours and textures. The smooth, slightly sweet butternut squash blends seamlessly with the tangy crème fraiche, coating the tagliatelle in a luxuriously rich sauce. Savory notes from the sautéed onions and Parmesan enhance the depth of flavour, balancing the sweetness of the squash. Fresh spinach adds an earthy undertone, while the herby walnuts offer a crunchy contrast, adding both texture and a salty, herbaceous lift to the dish. The subtle warmth from chili flakes adds just the right amount of heat
This delicious Italian butternut squash recipe, makes the perfect quick dinner, this dish is a meal in itself and can be served simply with a sprinkle of parmesan shavings. If you want to serve a side with this dish then we would suggest
Pasta - we use tagliatelle but you could use most pastas, the flavours are delicately balanced so use only unflavoured pasta
Cheese - you need a salty savoury cheese we use parmesan or pecorino
Spinach - Fresh baby spinach is ideal, though you could use regular spinach, we like to remove the thicker stalks
Onions - white or brown onions are great for this dish, other types of onions are too sweet
Butternut squash - You could potentially use other types of squash but we prefer butternut , it needs to be roasted to get the perfect flavour
creme fraiche - the creme fraiche gives the perfect tangy verses creamy combination to go with the other ingredients
Spices - the dish is spiced with chilli flakes for heat and garlic for extra savoury flavours, with Italian herbs for extra freshness
Walnuts - use fresh walnuts and toast them carefully in butter, cook slowly as you don't want them to burn, season well
Our butternut pasta is a deliciously rich, vegetarian alternative to the classic carbonara, delivering hearty comfort and a delightful mix of textures and flavours. The creme fraiche sauce is light and tangy, and a great healthy alternative to cream, but the star of this dish is the crispy, herby walnuts. These golden, pan-toasted gems add a salty crunch that elevates each bite, balancing the creaminess of the sauce and complementing the subtle garlic and parmesan undertones.
Roast Butternut, Beet & Goats Cheese Tart
Roast Butternut Squash Soup with Crusty Rolls
Butternut Squash & Tomato Baklava
