Go Back
–+ servings

Delicata Squash Cavatelli

This recipe is a quick weeknight pasta that comes out creamy, bright and absolutely delicious. It's easy to make, none of the ingredients are surprises, and you're left with a unique pasta sauce you'll want to eat for days. The tomatoes bring the flavor, the squash brings the texture and a good olive oil brings it all together.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian
Keyword: cavatelli, cherry tomatoes, delicata squash, pasta
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 dutch oven
  • 1 pot

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz. bag of cavatelli
  • 2 small delicata squash
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil loosely packed, plus more for garnish
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut and deseed the delicata squash. Cut one squash into small slivered pieces, and leave the other in 2 halves. Roast in the oven for 18-24 minutes, or until the halves are fork tender and the slivered pieces are golden on the bottoms.
  • While the squash is roasting, prepare the rest of the recipe. Halve the tomatoes and finely grate the garlic.
  • In a large dutch oven on medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the tomatoes and season with salt. Cook down for 1-2 minutes, the tomatoes will immediately begin to break down into a sauce.
  • Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and continue to cook for another 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toss in the basil and stir again. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir every few minutes or so.
  • Start the cavatelli pasta. Bring a large pot of water to boil, generously salt it, and boil the pasta for about 7-8 minutes.
  • At this time, the squash should be done. Scoop out the squash from the two halves and blend it with 1/2 cup of water until smooth. Add this to the pasta sauce, stir and season.
  • When the pasta is done cooking, use a slotted spoon to scoop it in to the tomato sauce. Stir to combine, adding pasta water as needed to keep the sauce smooth and glossy.
  • Add the delicata squash pieces and stir again.
  • Serve warm with black pepper and basil to garnish!