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Butternut Squash Pasta with Turkey

Prep Time17 minutes
Cook Time33 minutes
Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups butternut squash 1" cubes
  • 3 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp fennel
  • 2 1/2 tbsp fresh sage chopped
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan shredded
  • 4 cups mezzi rigatoni

Equipment & Utensils

  • Small saucepan with cover
  • Large sauté pan with cover
  • Immersion/hand blender
  • Medium saucepan

Instructions

  • Place butternut squash in saucepan, cover with water and heat on high until water begins to bubble.
  • Lower heat to medium and cook butternut squash until you can easily pierce with a fork.
  • Remove from heat, drain water and set aside. You will need the pan later to create sauce
  • Add 2 tsp of oil to sauté pan on medium then add 1 tsp garlic, 1 tbsp sage and fennel until flavors begin to release.
  • Add ground turkey and quickly but carefully break up the turkey into small pieces.
  • Continue to sauté turkey until it has become very small bite-size pieces and any fluid from the turkey has dried out.
  • Add rest of sage and then 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper.
  • Mix thoroughly, then taste to make sure the balance of ingredients work for you.
  • If need be, add some more of what your tastebuds feel is necessary.
  • Cover to keep warm and set aside.
  • In small saucepan add butter and 1 tsp of oil then add 1 tsp garlic.
  • Sauté garlic for a few seconds then add cooked butternut squash and 1/2 tsp salt.
  • Combine ingredients in pan then add chicken stock and cream, combine again.
  • With an immersion or hand blender, blend ingredients until smooth.
  • Add parmesan and combine.
  • You should arrive at a slightly thick, smooth sauce. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
  • Cook pasta with a little salt for approx. 7-8 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
  • Add three cups of butternut squash sauce to pasta and combine.
  • Divide pasta into three bowls, then top with turkey, drizzle with 1 tbsp of butternut sauce and serve with a sprig of sage.