Butternut-Sage Pasta Al Forno

  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Butternut Squash:
1large butternut squash, halved and seeded
1/2cup water
Tomato Sauce:
1tablespoon olive oil
1medium onion, chopped
2-- garlic cloves, minced
1-- (28-ounce) can chopped plum tomatoes with juice
1/2cup chopped fresh basil
Cheese Filling:
3cups low-fat ricotta cheese
2-- eggs, beaten
1/4cup minced sage leaves
1tablespoon minced lemon peel
1/8teaspoon nutmeg
1teaspoon salt
-- Freshly ground black pepper
To Assemble Dish:
1/2pound penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente, cooked according to package directions
1cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F.
  2. To make squash: Place butternut squash halves, cut side down, in a baking pan. Add 1/2 cup water and bake 35 to 40 minutes until tender. Cool and then scoop squash flesh from shell. Set aside.
  3. To make sauce: Heat olive oil in a large nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until soft. Add tomatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add the basil; set aside.
  4. To make filling: Combine ricotta, eggs, sage, lemon peel, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Add cooked butternut squash and combine well. Filling can be chunky; it doesn't have to be mixed until smooth.
  5. To assemble: Ladle half the sauce onto bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place pasta in baking dish and spread evenly. Spoon squash filling over the pasta (it doesn't have to be an even layer; it can look like little pillows, and you may leave small mounds with some pasta peeking out).
  6. Ladle remaining sauce over squash and top with mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 45 to 50 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden brown. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. 
     

Nutritional Info *per serving

  • Calories 490
  • Fat 14g
  • Cholesterol 87mg
  • Sodium 406mg
  • Carbohydrate 56g
  • Fiber 4g
  • Protein 30g