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Nutrition coach, chef's wife, foodie, '74 summer baby and a firm believer that life's too short to skip the foie and tartare. My faith, family time, and date nights keep me going. You'll find me everyday at the Pilates studio, on weekends at the thrift store or accidentally killing my plants at home if not binge-ing on another true crime documentary

I'm sharing how you can feel great in your own skin, especially during perimenopause. No magic pills or insta diets. It's straight talk and tough love about health and eating well...with a side of  French 75. *clink* 🥂

I'm toni gonzalez

Hey!

Butternut Squash Alfredo Sauce

Recipes

November 18, 2022

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Alfredo sauce, especially homemade alfredo sauce, can seem like something only restaurants can make right, but with the right ingredients and some time in the kitchen, you can quickly whip up your own deliciously creamy, tasty and rich alfredo sauce at home!

My kids were asking for pasta a few days back. This sauce is perfect if you’re looking to make something special but don’t want to get too complicated with the preparation. It just took me less than half an hour to serve my kids a seasonal, flavorful butternut squash alfredo pasta dish.

Making your own butternut squash alfredo sauce couldn’t be easier – if you have a food processor or blender, you’re pretty much good to go already! Even better? All the ingredients are pantry staples!

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 425oF.
  • Peel and cut the butternut squash into small pieces (nearly one-inch cubes).  
  • Toss the butternut squash and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. 
  • Transfer it to the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes (mix once at 15 minutes) till soft.
  • Take a blender and add the roasted butternut squash, salt, cream, stock, parmesan cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Blend them well till very smooth.
  • Mix enough sauce with freshly-boiled pasta in the cooking pan and cook for 2 minutes on low to medium flame.
  • Transfer it to your plate. Top it with more parmesan and Italian parsley, and serve proudly!
  • Shift the remaining sauce from the blender to a glass jar. Store in the fridge and use within the next five days.

Expert Tips and Suggestions

  • Remember to cut the top and bottom off of the squash before peeling it with a vegetable peeler. Then cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds before dicing.
  • You can use veggie broth instead of chicken broth if you want to make a vegan-friendly dish with this sauce.
  • If you like cheesy sauces, then add shredded mozzarella into the mix too.
  • If the pasta sauce gets too dry, use the pasta water to dilute it when mixing it with your favorite pasta. It will not only thin out but also help to retain the delicious pasta flavor from the water. 
  • Add enough pasta as per your taste preference. Do it by adding the sauce in small amounts first and then adding more if required.
  • Serve over pasta noodles, rice, or vegetables for a healthy dinner. You can pair your alfredo sauce with broccoli pasta for an extra veggie boost.

Got Questions?

What can I add to the Alfredo sauce to make it taste better?

Add spicy seasonings like chili powder or crushed red peppers for an added kick. Feel free to add any other ingredients you like, such as a squeeze of lemon juice or half a teaspoon of fresh or dried herbs. Some of my favorites are onion powder, dried basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, and Italian seasoning. 

Is Alfredo sauce good with butternut squash ravioli?

Yes, the creaminess of the Alfredo sauce pairs very well with the butternut squash ravioli. The butternut squash ravioli is filled with roasted butternut squash flavored with garlic, salt, puree, pepper, and sage. You’ll get a flavorful bite when this savory pillow gets mixed with the Alfredo sauce.

What does butternut squash pasta sauce taste like?

Butternut squash pasta sauce is a mix of sweet and salty flavors. Butternut squash contains sugar in the pulp, which caramelizes when you roast the vegetable. This sugar and cream are responsible for the sweet taste. The addition of other spices ends up imparting a delicious savory flavor to the sauce. 

What is the substitute for heavy cream in Alfredo sauce?

The Italian version of Alfredo pasta does not require any cream, but in the American version, we add heavy cream to get a creamy texture. What if you ran out of it? My favorite substitute is a combo of milk (1 cup), flour (2 tbsp), and butter (3 tbsp). Whisk until smooth, and then heat this mixture to get a thick creamy texture just like the heavy cream.

Do I need to peel the butternut squash before baking?

You can use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to peel off the skin. But the skin is edible when roasted; it’s your call to keep it or not. Remove the seeds before cutting.

What are the benefits of using butternut squash?

Butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that can be added to both sweet and salty dishes. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This low-calorie vegetable helps you to lose weight. It has multiple benefits for patients with brain, heart, and cancer.

Wrapping it up

My Butternut squash Alfredo sauce recipe will make the best Alfredo sauce you have ever tasted! A rich and creamy sauce that is made with fresh butternut squash, parmesan cheese, and fresh cream. You will love this healthy, low-calorie twist on a traditional Alfredo sauce recipe. This sauce can be used over your favorite pasta or as a delicious dip for breadsticks or crudite platters. Everyone will rave about this decadent recipe, so be prepared to make it over and over again!

Let’s connect!

Are we friends on social media yet? Come follow along for more kitchen tips and inspiration. You can find me on Instagram @chef.rafael.gonzalez and on Facebook, Chef Rafael Gonzalez

If you tried this recipe and feel free to tag me so I can see your culinary creation! 

Hungry for more?

Snag our FREE DIGITAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE, so you can get more recipes and ideas on how to host more meals that will WOW your family and friends. Confidence in the kitchen isn’t just for Michelin-trained chefs. You can make mealtime family time with 5-star culinary recipes that impress.

You can get your FREE copy right HERE.

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Butternut-squash-alfredo-sauce

Butternut Squash Alfredo Sauce


  • Author: Rafael Gonzalez
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Baking time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins

Description

Butternut squash Alfredo sauce is a quick and delicious sauce using seasonal and fresh butternut squash. Use it for pasta, as a side for an entree, or add more stock to make a creamy soup


Ingredients

3 cups Butternut squash

2 garlic cloves

2 tbsp olive oil (or butter oil)

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken stock (or veggie broth)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese (Freshly grated)

1 pinch nutmeg

salt and pepper


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425oF.
  2. Peel and cut the butternut squash into small pieces (nearly one-inch cubes).  
  3. Toss the butternut squash and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper. 
  4. Transfer it to the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes (mix once at 15 minutes) till soft.
  5. Take a blender and add the roasted butternut squash, salt, cream, stock, parmesan cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Blend them well till very smooth.
  6. Mix enough sauce with freshly-boiled pasta in the cooking pan and cook for 2 minutes on low to medium flame.
  7. Transfer it to your plate. Top it with more parmesan and Italian parsley, and serve proudly!
  8. Shift the remaining sauce from the blender to a glass jar. Store in the fridge and use within the next five days.

Notes

If the pasta sauce gets too dry, always save some pasta water and add to thin it out.

  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Alfredo sauce, butternut squash alfredo sauce, best alfredo sauce recipe

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Nutrition coach, chef's wife, foodie, '74 summer baby and a firm believer that life's too short to skip the foie and tartare. My faith, family time, and date nights keep me going. You'll find me everyday at the Pilates studio, on weekends at the thrift store or accidentally killing my plants at home if not binge-ing on another true crime documentary

I'm sharing how you can feel great in your own skin, especially during perimenopause. No magic pills or insta diets. It's straight talk and tough love about health and eating well...with a side of  French 75. *clink* 🥂

I'm toni gonzalez

Hey!