15 mins
45 mins
Serves 6

Roasted Squash and Ricotta Pasta


This sweet and earthy penne rigate pasta makes for a comforting, yet elegant dinner on a cool autumn night.
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Ingredients

  • 3 acorn squash, halved and seeds reserved
  • 1/3 cup olive oil, divided
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 tsp pepper, divided
  • 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves, patted dry
  • 10 oz Italpasta Artisan Penne Rigate, (approx. 3 cups dry)
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 6 tbsp ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 baguette, cut into 12 slices, toasted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush acorn squash with 2 tbsp (30 mL) oil. Sprinkle with garlic and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper. Arrange in single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/2-inch (1 cm) border. Reserve squash shells; set aside. Mash squash pulp until smooth.
  • Heat remaining oil in small skillet set over medium heat; cook sage leaves for 2 to 3 minutes or until crispy. Strain and reserve oil; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup (250 mL) cooking liquid. Toss together pasta, reserved cooking liquid, mashed squash, lemon zest, and remaining salt and pepper. Toss with Parmesan and walnuts.
  • Divide pasta mixture among reserved squash bowls. Top with dollop of ricotta and crispy sage leaves. Brush reserved sage oil over baguette toasts; serve with pasta.
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Tips

Add cooked and crumbled Italian sausages for protein.
To toast baguette slices, arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown and toasted.

Tips for Zero Food Waste

Tips for Zero Food Waste

Sage stems: Add to soup and tomato sauces, or to water when boiling veggies like potatoes.

Penne Rigate: Toss penne with butter, cooking liquid and Parmesan for a quick Alfredo sauce or add pepper for cacio e pepe.

Garlic: Roast remaining cloves of garlic in the oven wrapped in foil or make confit garlic. Slow-cook in remaining olive oil on low heat until tender and soft.

Parmesan: Add rind to flavour soups or sauces. Make Parmesan crackers: Grate Parmesan and mound tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for about 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Let cool completely.

Nutritional Analysis

Calories: 590kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 20gFat: 25gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 610mgFiber: 10gSugar: 3g