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The 30 Most Popular Fall Recipes.
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Welcoming Monday with this cozy, Creamy Butternut Squash Alla Vodka Pasta. Best for nights when you’re craving Italian, but also craving cozy fall flavors. Seasonal autumn butternut squash, roasted with fresh herbs, shallots, and garlic, all pureed into a creamy vodka sauce that’s vibrant and so delicious! Then finish off this pasta with salty prosciutto bread crumbs for an autumn dinner that’s mouth-wateringly delicious. This is a great fall pasta to serve any night of the week, or for your next Saturday night dinner party.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Monday is always better with a cozy dinner to look forward to. I’m well aware that fall is still officially one week away. But here in Colorado, we are just about to enter our fall foliage season. The leaves are just starting to turn their beautiful shades of yellow/orange/red. The air is incredibly crisp…and incredibly cool at night…and the days are slowly getting shorter. So, it’s very much fall here, and I love it so much. I’m trying to soak up these awesome September days as much as possible. I know that the nice weather won’t be sticking around for too much longer.
Speaking of nice weather, we could not have had more picture-perfect weather for my brother’s wedding this past Saturday. Bluebird skies all day long, temperatures in the ’70s, and truly a perfect day. I’m going to share more photos and details this Sunday. But I just thought I’d let everyone who’s been following the wedding know, it honestly went so well. The studio looked absolutely gorgeous. Lyndsie was the prettiest bride (and also nice…which I know isn’t always the case…wedding day can be stressful). Everyone had so much fun. And if you’re wondering about my contribution…the cakes? While they weren’t perfect, they still turned out pretty great. I shared photos on Instagram, but will share even more details in Sunday’s favorite’s post, so stay tuned for that!
And for those here solely for the food (and not so much the stories), we’ll get to this pasta. Because it is so good and has all the things I love!
(butternut squash before roasting)
(butternut squash after roasting)
One of my favorite autumn vegetables has always been butternut squash. Every season I love using it in new and different ways.
In the past, I’ve made soups, ravioli, and salads. But pureeing the squash into a pasta sauce is something I’ve never done before. I had to tweak this recipe a few times to make it just right. But thankfully, in the end, the final product turned out better than I’d originally anticipated.
Here is how I make this creamy butternut squash alla vodka pasta.
While there are a handful of ingredients, making this dish is relatively simple. Start out by roasting the squash with fresh thyme, oregano, shallots, and garlic. Slow roasting the squash with herbs adds so much flavor and amplifies the delicious essence of the squash.
Of course, if you don’t eat meat, you can easily omit the prosciutto to make this a vegetarian pasta.
Once the squash is roasted, puree until it’s smooth and creamy. You can do this in a food processor or blender.
During this same time, you’ll want to make the breadcrumbs. Now, I know the breadcrumbs are a bit of an “extra”, but in my opinion, they’re an extra that’s worth it. Salty prosciutto breadcrumbs are the perfect topping to this pasta.
Once everything is out of the oven, simply add the squash puree to a large skillet. Next add a splash of vodka, some milk, and a few other things. Soon you’ll have a silky, smooth, velvety and creamy butternut squash alla vodka pasta sauce.
I like to toss this sauce with linguine, but any pasta cut works really well, so use your personal favorite.
Toss the pasta with sauce, add plenty of parmesan cheese, and then serve each plate of pasta topped with breadcrumbs.
It’s such a warming fall pasta that’s hearty too. and it’s also on the healthier side. Plus it’s such a nice switch up from the classic tomato-based alla vodka pasta. Great for any upcoming dinner parties, or just a really good Monday night meal that all will look forward too.
If you make this creamy butternut squash alla vodka pasta be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamy Butternut Squash Alla Vodka Pasta.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1304 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 ounces prosciutto (omit if vegetarian)
- 1 cup finely torn ciabatta bread
- 2 cups cubed butternut squash (about 1 small squash)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 small shallots, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 pound dry linguine pasta
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup canned full fat coconut milk or whole milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan, cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On a baking sheet, toss together the bread, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Lay the prosciutto around the bread. Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until toasted. Crumble the prosciutto into fine crumbs. Set aside. 2. On a separate baking sheet, toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, thyme, and a pinch each of crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add the shallots and garlic, tossing to coat. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes or until the squash is tender. 2. Transfer the squash, shallots, and garlic to a food processor. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the squash puree, vodka, broth, tomato paste, and milk. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Just before draining, remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain.5 Add the pasta to the sauce along with a splash of the pasta cooking water, tossing to combine. Remove from the heat and add the parmesan, toss to combine. If needed, thin the pasta sauce with a little of the reserved cooking water.6. Divide the pasta among plates and top with prosciutto bread crumbs. Eat and enjoy!
Notes
To Replace Vodka: use 1/4 cup apple cider and 1/4 cup additional broth.
Hi! I made this pasta & first of all the breadcrumbs are a MUST!! Soooo delicious. My question: I could barely taste the butternut squash – anyone have any idea what I could’ve done wrong? I believe I used the right amount of squash, but I’m a pretty new cook so I’m sure I went awry somewhere! Thanks 🙂
Hey Nat,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am sorry you did not taste the squash. Was there anything that you adjusted? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
How did you get the bread crumbs so fine in the end? In the photo with the baking sheet they are big hunks of bread and in the last photo they are fine crumbs. I want to recreate that! Food processor? Thanks for your help!
Hey Greer,
Yes, I used a food processor! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I am looking forward to making this dish tomorrow night. Can i make the squash purée before my guests arrive? Would save time in the kitchen while they are here. Looks delicious!
Hey Megan,
Yes you can make that ahead of time. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The whole family loved this! Thanks so much 🙂
Thank you Lindsay! I am really glad this turned out so well for you all! xTieghan
Another great one! I did use sage instead of oregano as it’s what I had fresh. But other than that small substitution this was a phenomenal meal with a perfect recipe.
Hi Emily,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Do you think I could somehow adapt this into a pasta bake?
Hey Jennifer,
Sure you can make as is, transfer to a baking dish, coat with cheese and bake! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight, it was amazing!!
Thank you so much Jayne! xTieghan
This might be a silly question but I’ve never worked with a butternut squash before. What is the proper way to prepare/cut the squash before roasting? Do you peal the skin off?
Hey D,
Yes I use a knife to cut off the skin of the squash! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The vodka overwhelmed the taste. The spices didn’t do anything for the butternut squash. Maybe sage would have worked better. Very disappointed
Hi Rachel! I am sorry about that! Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with! xTieghan
100% with you on the breadcrumb & crunchy prosciutto topping. Beyond.
I made mine w/penne but this sauce is so amazing I think it would work with any pasta shape.
I love butternut squash & this is a new favorite for sure.
Yes!! I am so happy you loved this recipe, Peri! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Amazing recipe! Thank you for sharing
Thank you Louise! xTieghan
Do you think the sauce would freeze well to make a double batch and save for a super quick weeknight meal?
Hey Kathleen,
Sure that would be fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Soooo good! The coconut flavor was a tad strong for me, but it balances the sweetness nicely. Might try a mix of coconut milk and whole milk next time. My husband was SUPER skeptical b/c he doesn’t like squash dishes – always too sweet. But he and the kids all had multiple servings. I can always count on this website for great meals. THANK YOU.
Thank you Kathy!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Fabulous!!! I was worried about cooking with vodka but it was so creamy and delicious. Perfect fall meal. We made this for a small Saturday night dinner party and our friends commented on how it was restaurant quality. We did substitute sage for the thyme because I’m not a fan of thyme.. It was the perfect substitute for me!! Thanks so much for all your wonderful meals you share. Looking forward to my next half-baked harvest meal!!
Thank you so much Britt! I am really glad you have been enjoying this and other recipes of mine! I hope you continue to! xTieghan
I love Teighan and enjoy soo many of her recipes! BUT I am always searching this site to find helpful comments and rarely find them, so in the interest of putting into the world that which I seek, I’m going to leave an honest review. I did not enjoy this dish AT ALL. My boyfriend didn’t like it, and neither did my friend or her boyfriend who separately made it. Something about it just doesn’t go together well… the squash and the vodka is a big miss for me. I hope someone looking through comments trying to decide if they should make this recipe finds this comment helpful! This is literally the ONLY half baked harvest recipe I would advise against making.
Hi Elizabeth! I am really sorry to hear that! Please let me know if there is anything I can help with! Otherwise, I hope you love some other recipes of mine! xTieghan
This had very interesting and delicious flavors! Only had 1/4 cup of Vodka, so I subbed with more chicken broth. The prosciutto and bread crumbs are a MUST!
Thank you so much Tyra! xTieghan