Skip to main content

Spicy Squash Pasta

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 pounds autumn squash, such as sugar pumpkin, calabaza, or butternut
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 small garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon thinly sliced fresh sage
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 pound perciatelli or bucatini
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus leaves for garnish
3/4 cup fresh ricotta cheese
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. If using pumpkin or calabaza, cut into wedges; if using butternut squash, cut in half. Remove seeds; reserve for another use. Drizzle with oil; season with salt and pepper. Place squash, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 10 minutes. Flip squash; bake until very tender, 40 to 50 minutes more. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Scoop flesh into a medium bowl; discard skins.

    Step 2

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, a large pinch of salt, red pepper flakes, and 3/4 teaspoon each thyme, sage, and rosemary. Cook, stirring, until garlic is golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add squash; cook, stirring and mashing with a spoon, until heated through.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. Add pasta; cook until al dente. Drain well.

    Step 4

    Heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cooked pasta, parsley, and remaining thyme, sage, and rosemary. Season with salt. Toss to combine; cook until heated through.

    Step 5

    Divide pasta evenly among serving bowls. Top with squash mixture and ricotta, dividing evenly. Garnish with parsley; drizzle with oil. Serve with Parmesan.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A birthday favorite in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.