orecchiette with roasted butternut squash, kale, and caramelized red onion
Recipes
Noodles & Pasta
Orecchiette With Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, & Caramelized Red Onion
This recipe is for the butternut squash lover. It was inspired by a pasta dish that I had at an Italian restaurant in Charlottesville called Tavola (which is outstanding if you are ever in the area). Their version had less butternut squash and a little more cream.
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, cut into small cubes, divided
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 red onion, sliced thinly
- 1/2 pound orecchiette
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth, divided
- 1 bunch kale
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 ounce goat cheese, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- parmesan cheese, to serve
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425° F. Toss all but 1 cup of the butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and the nutmeg. Roast until butternut squash pieces are tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook sliced red onions until caramelized, about 30 minutes. Set aside.
- Heat a pot of water over high heat until boiling. Salt water generously. Cook orecchiette according to package instructions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Cook the remaining cup of butternut squash for approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add 1/2 cup of the chicken broth and cook until broth is almost completely absorbed.
- Remove the middle stems from the kale and roughly chop the leaves. Add kale to butternut squash and stir until kale has softened. Add caramelized red onions.
- Add white wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining chicken broth and reduce, about 10 minutes.
- Turn heat to low and add the heavy cream. When the pasta is al dente, add it to the pan with the sauce. Add the roasted butternut squash.
- Loosen sauce with pasta water if needed. Sprinkle with goat cheese (optional), sage, and Parmesan cheese.
