Description

This cozy and hearty pasta dish brings together savory ground beef, sweet roasted butternut squash, and a rich, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to your favorite pasta. It’s a family-friendly comfort food recipe that’s both nutritious and satisfying—perfect for chilly evenings, holiday meals, or easy weeknight dinners. Plus, it’s easily adaptable with vegetarian, gluten-free, or cheesy variations.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
4 cups roasted butternut squash (cubed)
12 oz pasta of choice (penne, rigatoni, etc.)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
Pinch of nutmeg

Optional garnishes: chopped parsley, red chili flakes, extra cheese

Instructions

Roast the Squash: Toss cubed squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Blend Sauce: Blend roasted squash with heavy cream, broth, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
Cook Beef: Sauté onion in olive oil. Add garlic, then beef. Cook until browned. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
Combine: Mix squash sauce with beef, add reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Stir in cooked pasta.

Serve: Top with Parmesan, parsley, or chili flakes.

Notes

Use lentils or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Swap cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for lighter options.
To store, keep in airtight containers up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat with a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner, Pasta
Method: Roasting, Sautéing, Boiling
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 410
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: creamy pasta, fall dinner, butternut squash, comfort food, family meal