Tortellini With Butternut Squash Mushrooms Gruyere And Optional Sausage Food

TORTELLINI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, MUSHROOMS, GRUYERE, AND OPTIONAL SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, mushrooms, and sage with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Spread in a single layer on one or two rimmed baking sheets and bake, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, until butternut squash is tender and some sides are golden brown.
• While the squash is baking, cook the tortellini according to package directions (save the water you used to cook the pasta, you'll need that in a minute!) and brown the sausage, if using.
• Add tortellini to a large pasta bowl or, if creating a vegetarian half and a meaty half, divide the tortellini between two medium bowls. Top with butternut squash (again divide evenly between the two bowls if making two versions) and top one half or all with sausage, if using.
• Sprinkle two cups of the Gruyere on top and add a couple of tablespoons of pasta water. Toss gently until cheese is melted and pasta is coated. You may need to add another tablespoon or two of the pasta water.
• Pass the remaining cheese at the table for sprinkling over individual servings.

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 450˚ F. Toss the squash, mushrooms, olive oil and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread out on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once or twice, until the vegetables are browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Combine the heavy cream, garlic, sage and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by about one-third, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice; add more lemon juice to taste.
• Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain (reserve the pot).
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the reserved pot. Add the tortellini and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss over medium heat until coated, adding a few more tablespoons cooking water as needed to loosen.
• Divide the roasted vegetables among shallow bowls. Spoon the tortellini and sauce on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chives.