Butternut Squash Pasta

squash, butternut squash, recipe, vegan recipe, vegetarian recipe, dinner, main course, pasta, noodle

2017 Kids Recipe Challenge Winning Recipe: 3rd Place! [Lunch]

Creating a healthy pasta sauce with vegetables for your family can be done ahead and will make a tasty meal even the kids will love. This cashew sauces creates a creamy cheese-like sauce that’s great for families following a plant based (vegan) diet or concerned about milk allergies.

Ishaan who’s in grade 2 and lives in Maple submitted this recipes. This is a great recipe for kids to practice using a blender mixing pasta sauce.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Soak Time: 3 hours

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Makes: 4

Tips

Make sauce ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Sprinkle nutritional yeast on the finished dish for a savoury flavour.
Put leftovers away within 2 hours or sooner if they are in a warm location.  Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). Discard uneaten leftovers after they have been reheated.

Ingredients
Cashews	1/2 cup (125 mL)
Butternut squash	1 pkg (400 g)
Baby kale or spinach (optional)	2 cups (500 mL)
Garlic	2 cloves
Vegetable oil	1 Tbsp (15 mL)
Soy beverage or milk	3/4 cup (175 mL)
Cajun seasoning	1 1/2 tsp (7 mL)
Onion powder	1 tsp (5 mL)
Water	1/4 cup (60 mL)
Salt	1/2 tsp (2 mL)
Macaroni or mini shell pasta	Half a 454 g pkg

Directions

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Clean all countertops and equipment used for food preparation.
In a bowl, cover cashews with water and soak for 3 hours. Drain well and rinse.
Rinse butternut squash, baby kale or spinach (if using) and garlic and under cool running water. Cube the butternut squash; set aside. Chop the baby kale; set aside. Mince the garlic; set aside.
Toss butternut squash with oil and spread onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Roast in 425°F (220°C) oven for 30 minutes or until tender.
Place cashews, squash, milk, garlic, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, water and salt into blender; puree until smooth.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for about 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to pot. Add kale and sauce to pot. Stir over medium-low heat until kale is cooked thoroughly.