Butternut Squash Carbonara with Bacon and Sage

This pasta dish is as yummy as it looks.  Butternut squash is cooked until tender than pureed in a blender to make a creamy sauce. Lightly sweet with a hint of sage, topped with crisp bacon and shaved cheese.

Butternut Squash Carbonara with Bacon & Sage

PRINT RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 oz. pancetta, chopped (I used bacon)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 2-lb. kabocha or butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into ½” pieces (about 3 cups)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 oz. fettucine or linguine
¼ cup finely grated Pecorino, plus shaved for serving

PREPARATION

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta (bacon), reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8–10 minutes. Add sage and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta (bacon) and sage to a small bowl; set aside.

Add squash, onion, and garlic to skillet; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 8–10 minutes. Add broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is soft and liquid is reduced by half, 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then purée in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Reserve skillet.

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Combine pasta, squash purée, and ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid in reserved skillet and cook over medium heat, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Mix in ¼ cup Pecorino; season with salt and pepper.

Serve pasta topped with reserved pancetta and sage, shaved Pecorino, and more pepper.

DO AHEAD: Squash purée can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

Serves 4