Pioneer Woman Butternut Squash Pasta Food

BUTTERNUT MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
• Carefully cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Drizzle half of the squash with olive oil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet cut-side up (reserve the other half of the squash in the fridge for another use). Roast, watching to make sure the surface doesn't get burned (it should have some brown areas, however), until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Scrape out the flesh into a bowl and mash with a potato masher. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside.
• While the squash is roasting, add the onions and 2 tablespoons of the butter to a large, ovenproof skillet over low to medium-low heat. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they're deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove them to a plate.
• In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle over the flour and whisk it to make a thin paste. Cook it for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking gently, until slightly thick, a couple of minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. You'll probably want to add more salt!
• Turn the heat to low and stir in the mashed butternut squash. When it is warm, stir in the cheese. If the sauce is overly thick when the cheese is melted, add a splash of milk. Keep stirring until the sauce is nice and hot, then stir in the macaroni. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a pan and combine it with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and bake (I do it straight in the skillet) until the crumbs are golden and the edges bubbly, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

BAKED PANCETTA & BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In an ovenproof skillet with a tight-fitting lid, add the pancetta and cook over medium heat until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• To the pancetta drippings, add the butter and melt. Add the garlic and onion and cook until just translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the sage and thyme, then stir in the rice and cook, stirring, until the rice is well coated in the butter and pancetta drippings. Add the squash, broth and wine, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a simmer, cover with the lid and place in the oven. Bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Carefully remove from the oven. Add the Parmesan, parsley and lemon juice, then stir until creamy. Sprinkle with the crispy pancetta and some more grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta in boiling water to not quite al dente according to the package directions. Drain and transfer to a casserole dish.
• Add the olive oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook for a minute or so to slightly soften. Add the butternut squash and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the squash has softened, about 5 minutes. Puree in the pot with an immersion blender.
• Stir the squash mixture into the casserole dish with the pasta, then mix in the peas, red pepper and goat cheese. Cover the pasta mixture with the grated cauliflower, then season with salt and pepper. Top with the mozzarella, Parmesan and half the parsley.
• Bake until the casserole is browned and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley.

PANCETTA AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 3 cups pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. When the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the pancetta, butternut squash and onion. Cook until the pancetta is golden and crisp and the squash has softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, thyme and garlic, then cook for an additional minute. Add the kale and approximately half of the Parmesan, followed by the white wine. Stir, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any bits.
• Add the pasta and the reserved pasta water. Toss and allow the kale to wilt and the sauce to thicken, an additional minute or two.
• Squeeze over the lemon juice and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with the toasted pine nuts, the remaining Parmesan and torn basil. Serve straight from the skillet.

BUTTERNUT CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the squash cubes with the olive oil and salt. Spread out in one layer on a baking sheet and roast until tender, stirring once, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven. Tip the squash into a bowl and mash until fairly smooth to make about 2 cups of puree.
• To the puree, add the flour, shredded Parmesan, egg, baking powder and Italian seasoning, then mix until well incorporated.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. Spread the mixture into a 12-inch circle on the baking sheet, spreading into an even layer with the back of a spoon or spatula. Bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
• While the pizza cooks, make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the arugula, basil, almonds, grated Parmesan, lemon juice and olive oil, then puree until smooth.
• Remove the pizza crust from the oven and carefully slide onto a serving plate or cutting board using a metal spatula (the crust is not super fragile but is more fragile than a regular pizza base).
• Top with the pesto and spread it, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• For the toppings: Add the arugula, prosciutto and Parmesan shavings. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze.