Caroline's Cooking

Internationally inspired recipes for everyone to enjoy - mostly healthy, always tasty

Butternut squash sauce (for gnocchi/pasta)

by 24 Comments

butternut squash sauce (for pasta/gnocchi)I mentioned when I shared the potato and spinach gnocchi recipe, that my favorite way to enjoy them was with a butternut squash sauce, and so I didn’t want to wait too long in sharing it with you. This recipe came about a little by accident, as often happens. I had been thinking about sauces before, but was spurred on after a conversation with friends. One friend had said she had liked the sound of my acorn squash gnocchi, but then had been a little intimidated by the fact they were gnocchi made from scratch – she had thought it was a sauce at first.

I decided I wanted to make some good sauces that would be good with homemade gnocchi if you have the time, but that would also be good with store-bought if you don’t. Then, shortly after I was making my potato and spinach gnocchi again and didn’t have enough potato, I substituted some squash. I still had a bit of squash left so had a little lightbulb moment. Make a butternut squash sauce. So here it is, a delicious and easy butternut squash sauce.

butternut squash sauce (for pasta/gnocchi)How it’s made

This is really one of the simplest recipes as it only consists of pureed butternut squash, cream, parmesan and a little nutmeg. But they go together to make a deliciously smooth, flavorful sauce that works perfectly with gnocchi. It turns something that is already a comfort food into something even more comforting. It would also be pretty good with pasta as well.

butternut squash sauce (for pasta/gnocchi)This butternut squash sauce is so easy to make, especially if you have leftover cooked squash. It makes a delicious change from your more usual sauces for gnocchi and pasta but works so well too. Thankfully, even with an increasingly fussy toddler, this passed the taste-test. Which is good, as we were keen to have it again soon. It’s just too tasty, smooth, creamy and with a great flavor to have just once in a while. You really should give it a try to see what I mean.

butternut squash sauce (for pasta/gnocchi)

butternut squash sauce (for pasta/gnocchi)
Print Recipe
3 from 2 votes

Butternut squash sauce

An easy sauce that is creamy and flavorful - perfect to go with pasta or gnocchi.
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time12 mins
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy squash sauce, pasta sauce
Servings: 4
Calories: 168kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking

Ingredients

  • 5 oz butternut squash 140g, 1/2 cup pureed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream 120ml double cream
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup parmesan 20g, finely grated

Instructions

  • Peel and cook the butternut squash, if not using leftovers, as you prefer - steam, boil or roast. Puree to form a smooth paste.
  • Warm the cream and nutmeg over a low to medium heat in a small pan. Don't let it boil.
  • Once warm, whisk in the squash then the parmesan and stir/whisk so that it is combined and cheese melted.
  • Serve over gnocchi or pasta.

Notes

Note cooking time is for steaming/boiling - roasting will take longer.

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 158mg | Vitamin A: 4300IU | Vitamin C: 7.4mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Try these other sauces for pasta/gnocchi:

Sharing with Fiesta Friday and Foodie Fridays.

Remember to pin for later!

This 4-ingredient butternut squash sauce is quick and easy to make. Perfectly paired with gnocchi, it also works with pasta for a delicious, easy dinner. Tasty and comforting.

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Comments

  2. Terri-lynn Picard says

    1 star
    I just made the Gnocchi for the very first time ever. I have always wanted to try these. I found them to be pretty bland, not sure if that is the way they are supposed to be or not. I will try the Butternut sauce to see if that helps. They are very light and fluffy. I’m undecided if i like them or not. Do you have any recommendations on what to serve them with?

    Reply

  3. Choclette says

    What a fantabulous idea. I adore squash, but would never have thought to pair it with cream as a pasta sauce.

    Reply

  5. Heather says

    This sounds so delicious! I love butternut squash soup, but I never thought of making it in to a pasta sauce! I can’t wait to try this one! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  8. Selma | Selma's Table says

    Hi Caroline, I am one of the co-hosts for Angie’s Fiesta Friday and would like to say thank you so much for sharing such a delicious sounding yet simple pasta sauce with us. I love butternut and will definitely add this to my list to try out! I read somewhere that it takes quite a few presentations (without a fuss) of the same food for the child to finally accept it so just keep plugging away – before you know it, you will be sitting round the table with teenagers, all eating the same delicious food! Happy Fiesta Friday!

    Reply

    • Caroline's Cooking says

      Thanks Selma! Actually he has a great palette for his age, he did eat almost anything when he was younger but that changes a little as they get to the 2/3yr age. He will grow out of it, hopefully before he is a teenager! And at least he loves some pretty healthy things just now!

      Reply

    • Caroline's Cooking says

      Thanks, Julie, it’s great to have some fun things on the 2015 list and making gnocchi is a good one to try! And the sauce is really tasty as well. Hope you enjoy.

      Reply

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