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Vegan Butternut Squash Noodles and Toasted Almonds with Pumpkin-Sage Sauce

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • For the pasta:
  • 1 large butternut squash peeled, Blade C*
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup slivered or sliced almonds
  • For the sauce:
  • ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 large shallot minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or vegetable broth if nut allergy
  • optional: 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast flakes**
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out the butternut squash noodles, drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until butternut squash is no longer crunchy and is al dente (check after 8 minutes to make sure you don’t overcook- ovens are finicky!)
  • While the butternut squash is cooking, prepare the pumpkin sage sauce. Place a large pot over medium heat and once heated, add in the olive oil. Once oil is shimmering, add in the sage and fry until crispy (about 3 minutes) and then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel lined plate. Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes, shallots and cook for 1-2 minutes or until shallots are translucent. Add the tomato paste and pumpkin and stir to combine thoroughly. Then, add in the milk, season with salt and pepper and stir until sauce thins out and absorbs the milk. Then, add in the nutritional yeast flakes, if wanted. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer, crumble in the sage, stir and let flavors develop, while the butternut squash finishes cooking.
  • While sauce is simmering, place a small skillet over medium-high heat and add in the slivered almonds. Toast for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides and fragrant. Be careful not to burn. When done, transfer to a small plate and set aside.
  • When the butternut squash is finished, portion into bowls and pour over pumpkin sauce. Top each bowl with a tablespoon of the toasted almonds. Alternately, toss the pasta in a large mixing bowl with the almonds and sauce to combine and then portion out to serve.

Recipe Notes

*Make sure you cut the bulbous end of the squash off before spiralizing.
**This is to add a cheesy, creaminess to the dish with added savory flavor.