Butternut Squash Carbonara Pasta

Butternut Squash Carbonara Pasta

Healthy Fact of the Day

This Butternut Squash Carbonara offers a nutritious twist on the classic pasta dish. Butternut squash provides vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. It adds creaminess while reducing the need for excessive dairy. To make it healthier, use whole grain pasta for added fiber and nutrients. Consider adding more vegetables like spinach or peas. Using turkey bacon instead of pancetta can lower saturated fat content. While more nutritious than traditional carbonara, it's still calorie-dense, so mind your portions. Pairing with a large salad can balance the meal and increase your vegetable intake.

Ingredients

 

  • 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
  • 3 cups butternut squash, cubed
  • 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 cup grated Pecorino
  • Romano cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. Toss squash cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender.

  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.

  4. In a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.

  5. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened.

  6. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

  7. Blend roasted squash with 1/4 cup pasta water until smooth.

  8. In a bowl, whisk eggs, egg yolk, Pecorino Romano, cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

  9. In the large skillet, toss hot pasta with squash puree and egg mixture, stirring quickly.

  10. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.

  11. Fold in crispy pancetta and chopped sage.

  12. Serve immediately with extra cheese and black pepper.

Twirl your fork into this Butternut Squash Carbonara and let the silky squash sauce, punctuated by crispy pancetta and aromatic sage, transport you to autumn bliss. Each bite is a perfect balance of comfort and sophistication, marrying Italian tradition with seasonal flair. So fire up that oven, grab your pasta pot, and prepare for a culinary hug that warms both body and soul!

Recent Recipes

The Last Corn: How to Honor Summer’s

  • August 21, 2026
  • 8 min read

Poblano Chicken

  • August 21, 2026
  • 6 min read

McDonald’s New Fall Coffee Lineup Tastes Like

  • August 20, 2026
  • 2 min read

The Herb Butter That Changes Everything: A

  • August 20, 2026
  • 9 min read

Watermelon Margarita

  • August 20, 2026
  • 12 min read

Italian Drunken Noodles

  • August 20, 2026
  • 6 min read

Sam’s Club Just Added a New Fall

  • August 19, 2026
  • 2 min read

Skillet Chicken with Mushroom Wine Sauce

  • August 19, 2026
  • 12 min read

The Stone Fruit Reckoning: What to Do

  • August 19, 2026
  • 11 min read

Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

  • August 19, 2026
  • 6 min read

Tip of the Day

“Always let your meat rest before slicing.”

Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steak, or baking pork tenderloin, letting cooked meat rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing allows the juices to redistribute evenly. This simple step keeps your meat juicy and tender, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist. Bonus: It gives you a moment to plate your sides or garnish for a perfect presentation!

Our Latest Recipes

Blog
Daily Disher

The Last Corn: How to Honor Summer’s Most Fleeting Vegetable

Fresh sweet corn is a meaningful source of lutein and zeaxanthin — carotenoid antioxidants that accumulate specifically in the retina and that research consistently associates with reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. These compounds are fat-soluble, meaning that eating corn with butter significantly increases their absorption compared to eating it plain. The specific sweetness of peak-season corn also reflects a higher sugar content and a correspondingly higher concentration of the water-soluble vitamins and phytonutrients that develop during the full ripening process — making the peak-season local ear nutritionally superior to its commercially processed alternative.

Read More »
Chicken Recipes
Benjamin Brown

Poblano Chicken

Poblano peppers are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, adding nutritional value and smoky depth without extra calories.

Read More »
Blog
Daily Disher

McDonald’s New Fall Coffee Lineup Tastes Like Apple Pie in a Cup

Seasonal specialty coffees can pack in as much sugar and calories as a dessert, largely due to flavored syrups and whipped toppings. If you want the seasonal flavor without the full sugar load, ask for the syrup in reduced pumps, skip the whipped cream topping, or size down to a small. Choosing an iced coffee or latte over a blended frappe-style drink will also typically cut calories, fat, and sugar significantly while still giving you that same seasonal flavor.

Read More »

Get your daily dose of delicious!

Skip to content