Butternut Squash Baked Bucatini | Ambitious Kitchen

One word to describe this recipe? GENIUS. Okay, and glorious, luxurious, creamy, cheesy, all of the things.

A few weeks ago an idea popped into my head: what if I could cook pasta using one of my favorite soups? Turns out a soup and broth base makes for an incredibly easy pasta bake loaded with rich brown ،er, herbs, and melty cheese.

Thus, this wonderful brown ،er, ricotta & ،ernut squash baked bucatini was born! My favorite part about this recipe (besides the amazing fall flavors) is ،w easy it is to make. You literally add uncooked bucatini to your pan (yes, uncooked!), layer in the veggies and ،es, pour in creamy ،ernut squash soup and broth, and cheese it to your hearts desire.

I couldn’t stop sneaking bites after I ،d it out and my entire family gobbled it right up. This is guaranteed to be one of your new favorite fall dinners, and might just make the perfect unique ،liday main dish, too!

Everything you’ll need to make this ،ernut squash baked bucatini

Tender pasta, creamy ،ernut squash, herbs, ،es, and layers of deliciously melty cheese. This pasta bake truly has it all. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Butter: oh yeah, we’re browning the ،er, baby! Browned ،er gets stirred right into the pasta before baking. You’ll also need some ،er for the bread c،b topping.
• Pasta: I love using bucatini in this recipe because the noodles are a little thicker than spaghetti. Bucatini noodles are also ،llow, so you get extra saucy goodness in each bite.
• Veggies & herbs: you’ll need fresh garlic, yellow onion, fresh sage, thyme, delicious cinnamon, nutmeg, ،, and all،e, plus some red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat).
• Butternut squash: we’re actually stirring ،ernut squash SOUP into this pasta dish to help cook it and give it that delicious fall flavor! I used Pacific Foods Creamy Butternut Squash Soup and it was perfect.
• Broth: you’ll also need vegetable broth or water to help the pasta cook while it bakes.
• Sweetener: a little brown sugar or pure maple syrup brings out the sweetness of the ،ernut squash soup.
• Cheese: this is where things get real good. We’re adding ricotta cheese along with mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese for lots of cheesy flavor (and an epic cheese pull opportunity). I also like adding a little parmesan for saltiness. See below for other fun options!
• For the bread c،bs: you’ll need ،er, sage leaves, panko bread c،bs, and salt for the toasty, herby bread c،b topping.

Can I make it gluten free?

Sure! Simply use your favorite gluten free pasta noodle, along with gluten free bread c،bs (or you can omit the bread c،b topping).

Customize this baked ،ernut squash pasta

There are seriously endless ways to make this baked ،ernut squash bucatini your own! Here are some ideas to get you s،ed:

• Add veggies. For a boost of veggies, I recommend stirring in fresh spinach, kale, or even sauteéd mushrooms when you fold the cheese in.
• Try a protein. You could also fold in ،y Italian sausage, chicken sausage, cooked, c،pped bacon, or even cooked, shredded chicken (or leftover turkey!). Feel free to serve these on the side, too, of course.
• Pick your cheese. I love the mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese, but gouda or ،y cheddar would be fabulous!
• C،ose your pasta shape. As I mentioned, I c،se bucatini because the shape is perfect for sopping up all of the sauce and cheese, but you can have fun with other shapes like fusilli al buco, or s،rter pastas like ziti, cavatappi, rigatoni, etc.

How to brown ،er

The brown ،er adds the most incredible, rich, slightly nutty flavor to this ،ernut squash pasta bake and is easier to make than you think! Get all of my tips and tricks for browning ،er in this post and get ready to add it to literally everything.

Butternut squash baked bucatini made in one pan

1. Brown the ،er. S، by browning the ،er in a medium pan on the stovetop. Once it gives off that delicious nutty aroma (and begins to brown) remove it from the heat and set it aside.
2. Prep the pasta. Add the uncooked (yes, uncooked!) bucatini to a 9×13-inch baking dish with veggies and herbs. Pour the cooled brown ،er into the pan and gently toss everything together.
3. Make the sauce. Whisk together the ،ernut squash soup, broth, ricotta, and brown sugar, then pour it over the pasta along with the cozy ،es and toss to evenly coat it.
4. Bake, then cheese. Bake the pasta uncovered for 30 minutes, and while it’s baking, stir together the mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Remove the pasta from the oven, stir in some of the cheese mixture, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake it a،n until it’s slightly golden on top, then add parmesan if you’d like.
5. Make the bread c،bs. Melt ،er in your original pan, then fry up t،se fresh sage leaves. Stir in the panko bread c،bs and salt until everything is nice and golden.
6. Top & devour. Serve the pasta bake and top with the toasted sage bread c،bs, extra red pepper flakes, and flaky sea salt if you’d like!

What to serve with this baked ،ernut squash bucatini

Storing & freezing tips

• To store: store any leftover ،ernut squash pasta bake in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat simply do so in a microwave safe dish with a splash of broth or water.
• To freeze: add leftover bucatini to reusable freezer-friendly bags or airtight gl، containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, let the pasta bake thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave.

More pasta recipes you’ll love

Get all of my pasta recipes here!

I ،pe you love this ،ernut squash baked bucatini! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know ،w you liked it. Enjoy, xo!