Cosy Up with This Delicious Vegan and Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe

Are you looking for a delicious, comforting meal that's perfect for a cosy night in? Look no further than this recipe for creamy butternut pasta. This dish is creamy, flavourful, and oh-so-satisfying, and it's also vegan and gluten-free (just be sure to use gluten-free pasta).

This dish is perfect for a cosy night in, whether you're streaming a movie or just relaxing with a good book. The creamy butternut squash sauce is rich and flavourful, with a hint of tang from the balsamic vinegar and a savoury kick from the herbs. The addition of nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy, umami flavour that's sure to satisfy. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a new favourite.

Butternut squash is a great ingredient to keep on hand in the kitchen. It's packed with nutrients and has a lovely, sweet flavour that pairs well with a wide range of dishes. In this recipe, it adds a creamy, velvety texture to the sauce that's simply irresistible.

One of the great things about this recipe is that it's super versatile. If you don't have butternut squash on hand, you can use any other type of squash or even sweet potatoes. You can also use any type of pasta you like, whether it's gluten-free or traditional. The key is to use a pasta that has a good texture and flavour, as it will be the base for the creamy butternut squash sauce.

If you're looking to add a little extra protein to this dish, you can also stir in some cooked chickpeas or tofu. This will give the dish some extra substance and make it a more complete meal. Just be sure to add the protein at the end, after you've tossed the pasta with the sauce.

 I hope you give this recipe for creamy butternut pasta a try. It's easy to make, it's vegan and gluten-free, and it's oh-so-delicious. Trust me, it will quickly become a new favourite for those cosy nights in.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 small butternut squash, cubed

• 2 shallots or 1 onion, roughly chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, skin on

• A dash of olive oil

• 1/2 cup unsalted cashews

• 3/4 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)

• 1 tsp dried sage (or 1 tbsp fresh)

• 1 pack pasta of your choice

The first step in this recipe is to roast your butternut squash, onion, and garlic. Preheat your oven to 200C (400F) and place the butternut squash, onion, and garlic (wrapped in tin foil to avoid burning) on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender and caramelized. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the butternut squash and gives it a lovely depth of flavour.

While the vegetables are roasting, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. It's important to salt the water well, as this will give your pasta more flavour. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.

Next, it's time to soften your cashews. This is an important step, as it will make them much easier to blend into a smooth sauce. Simply add the cashews to a pot of boiling water and let them soak for 10 minutes. Once they've softened, drain them and add them to a blender.

Now it's time to blend everything together to create the creamy butternut squash sauce. Add the roasted vegetables, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, balsamic vinegar, thyme, and sage to the blender with the cashews. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.

Once your sauce is perfectly smooth and creamy, it's time to toss it with the cooked pasta. Simply pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to coat. If you'd like, you can also add a sprinkle of fresh herbs or extra cracked black pepper for added texture and flavour.

Serve your creamy butternut pasta hot and enjoy!

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