Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Squash

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   • Set the oven to 210°C (410°F).
   • Ensure it's ready for roasting the squash.

2. Prepare the Squash

   5 min hands-on20 min waiting

   • Dice the winter squash into small, even cubes.
   • Toss with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
   • Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
   • Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly caramelized.

3. Cook the Pasta

   2 min hands-on8 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta until al dente, following package instructions.
   • Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining.

4. Prepare the Aromatics

   3 min hands-on

   • Finely mince the shallots, garlic, and parsley.
   • Set parsley aside for garnish.

5. Make the Creamy Sauce Base

   4 min hands-on

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add minced shallots and garlic; sauté until fragrant and softened.

6. Create the Creamy Sauce

   3 min hands-on

   • Lower heat to medium-low.
   • Stir in milk and most of the parmesan cheese.
   • Mix until cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy.
   • Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
   • Season with salt and black pepper.

7. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   1 min hands-on

   • Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce.
   • Toss to coat the pasta evenly.

8. Assemble the Dish

   2 min hands-on

   • Plate the pasta and top with roasted squash.
   • Sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

9. Finishing Touch

   • Drizzle a light amount of olive oil over the dish.
   • Serve immediately.
   • Cooking tips:
   • To enhance the flavor of the squash, consider adding a sprinkle of paprika or a dash of nutmeg before roasting.
   • If you prefer a more pronounced garlic flavor, roast an additional clove of garlic alongside the squash and mash it into the sauce.
   • For added crunch, you can top the dish with toasted breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.
   • When reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or pasta water to restore the creamy texture of the sauce.