• Home
  • About Paola
    • About Paola
    • Testimonials
    • Media Pack
  • Cook With Me
    • Online group cooking class PARTY experiences
    • The Tiny Italian Cooking Course
    • One Off Saucy Sessions
      • One off Saucy Sessions
    • FREE Tiny Italian Kickstart Cooking Club
  • Saucy Society
  • Saucy Tips & Recipes
    • Recipes
      • Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta
      • Risotto & Rice Dishes
      • Carne (Meat Dishes)
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Vegetarian
      • Soup & Stews
      • Pies and Tarts
      • Pulses
      • Salads and Side dishes
      • Frittatas & all things eggs
      • Dolci (Sweet things)
    • Saucy Tips
      • TTI Tips and Top 5’s
      • Places to eat
        • UK
        • London
        • Abroad
        • Italy
        • Travel
      • My fave cook books
  • Contact

The Tiny Italian

Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta / Recipes / Vegetarian

A Simple Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta With Cavolo Nero

A simple creamy butternut squash pasta dish is all you need right now if you’re looking for a dish to bring you pure comfort, where each mouthful is like a tantalising flavour party and filled with so much ‘goodness’ your body and mind will thank you.

This time of the year can be difficult as it is, let alone dealing with a pandemic. Those first couple of months after Christmas can always feel a little sluggish, It’s colder than usual, so we may prefer to be curled up on the sofa than head outside. I don’t know about you, but all I want to do is eat food that makes me smile. Generally, people would be tempted to order a takeaway or junk food to scratch that itch. However, comforting food doesn’t always have to be naughty. This dish definitely gives you the feels while feeding your body and mind with the energy it needs.

The sweet nuttiness of the squash with the earthy cavolo nero is a fantastic flavour combination. Plus the ‘creaminess’ created by combining the parmesan, squash and the starchy pasta water gives a lovely unctuous aftertaste. And guess what, there isn’t a drop of cream insight. TICK for pure health.

This simple easy recipe is a perfect mid-week meal for you, flat mates and family. I can guarantee smiles and clean plates after dinner time and isn’t that what we’re looking for.

Check out the ingredients/equipment list below, recipe steps and cooking tips to make you feel like a pro.

Enjoy my bambinos!

two orange plates with spiral pasta coasted in butternut squash and cavolo nero. On a green check tablecloth
PrintPrint

A Simple butternut squash pasta with cavolo nero (2 people)

  • 300g butternut squash

  • Olive oil

  • Sea salt

  • 2 shallots, finely sliced

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1/4 tsp of dry sage

  • 150g sliced cavolo nero or kale

  • 40g parmesan, grated

  • 250g short pasta, fusilli or penne or farfalle

  • Fresh black pepper

Equipment

  • Peeler
  • Chopping board
  • Kitchen knife
  • Baking tray
  • Large saucepan
  • Large deep frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Potato masher

To watch the full recipe video, head to my youtube channel here. Make sure you subscribe to ensure you get notifications of new recipe videos as uploaded.

PrintPrint

Steps (don't forget to check out the tips below

  • First, peel, slice and chop the butternut squash into 3 cm chunks
  • Place the butternut squash on a baking tray, lightly coat with olive oil, season with a pinch of salt. Roast in the oven at 180c for 40 minutes until softened.
  • Bring a large pan of water to the boil, season with salt and cook the cavolo nero for 5 minutes. When cooked, carefully remove the veg with a slotted spoon. Place aside. It’s important to keep the water as we will cook the pasta in it later.
  • Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan on a low heat. Add the shallots and garlic and softly fry for 3-4 minutes
  • Add a pinch of sage.
  • Bring the cavolo nero water back to the boil and cook your pasta as instructed on the packet.
  • In the meantime, add the butternut squash to the shallot/garlic. Add a couple of tablespoons of pasta water and mush it with the potato masher. Add the parmesan and stir until you have a lovely thick paste.
    Season with salt and ground black pepper. Add the cavolo nero.
  • When the pasta is cooked, add it to the vegetables. Stir and make sure the pasta is well coated with the creamy squash paste and cavolo nero. Finish with more parmesan. Serve immediately.

Tips for each step above

  1. The skin on the butternut squash can be very tough, To soften it, you can pop it in the microwave or 2-3 mins before peeling. For more tips on how to cut butternut squash, head here.
  2. To check that the butternut squash has softened, prick a piece with a fork and if the fork slides out easily then it’s cooked as needed.
  3. When boiling or blanching vegetables, it’s important to cook them in well seasoned salty boiling water. The water must be as salty as the sea to enhance the flavour of the vegetable.
  4. To prevent the shallot and garlic burning, make sure they are well coated in the olive oil and gently stir them in the pan.
  5. No tip needed.
  6. To ensure that the pasta doesn’t stick together, as soon as the pasta hits the water, keep it stirring for 2 minutes.
  7. Add the pasta water gradually until you have the right consistency.
  8. My only tip is to enjoy.

TAGS:Butternut squashPastavegetarian pastavegetarian pasta recipe
Share
The Tiny Italian

Ciao, I’m Paola I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert cook and teacher. I teach people to not only cook but teach them how to LOVE TO COOK. I help change peoples mindset by showing them that cooking is not only for 'FOODIES' and sharing the fun, stress-free side with recipes, tips and cooking experiences.

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

You May Also Like

5th January 2022

Easy and quick kale, garlic, chilli pasta

17th August 2017

Sorrento style mozzarella stuffed squid

3rd February 2020

Lentil mushroom ragu pasta

Ciao, I’m Paola
Ciao, I’m Paola

Ciao, I’m Paola

I’m Paola (The Tiny Italian). I'm an Italian food expert, cook and teacher. Cooking doesn't come easy to everyone. However, I help you LEARN to LOVE to cook and eat better with EASY SEXY HEALTHY Italian RECIPES. Plus TIPS and HACKS to build your kitchen CONFIDENCE. Come cook with me at one of my fun stress free cooking classes or courses. It’s all about helping others BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN SAUCE!

Follow Along

ITS HERE! THE ONLY PASTA DISH YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER.

A no-cook pasta, jam packed with flavour. 
A summer tomato tuna Riccioli using the best pasta @garofalopastauk and a wealth of quality store cupboard ingredients.
If you’re a lover of fusilli, move over as we have a new pasta shape Riccioli (curly) to get to grips with. It’s curves and crevices are perfect to collect all the wonderful ingredients in this dish.
Available from @ocadouk and @amazonuk. 

For the full recipe head to the link in my bio. 

#garofalo #summerpasta #pastasalad #easypasta #pastalover.
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
ITS HERE! THE ONLY PASTA DISH YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER. A no-cook pasta, jam packed with flavour. A summer tomato tuna Riccioli using the best pasta @garofalopastauk and a wealth of quality store cupboard ingredients. If you’re a lover of fusilli, move over as we have a new pasta shape Riccioli (curly) to get to grips with. It’s curves and crevices are perfect to collect all the wonderful ingredients in this dish. Available from @ocadouk and @amazonuk. For the full recipe head to the link in my bio. #garofalo #summerpasta #pastasalad #easypasta #pastalover.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
1/2
BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN SAUCE is the only mantra you need right now if it feels like you may be struggling to feel your best. It’s not always easy to believe in your self but remember you can always get there will some love and self care.
Recently you may have read about how I had some struggles with my mental health. I’ve had so many life changes recently that my head couldn’t cope with it and was sending me down a weird spiral.

However with few changes, including making my self care number one priority, I’m  back on the mend and feel happier than I have in weeks. And when I think of this saying it reminds me of who I am and what I can be. And I want to tell you all. You can be as happy as you want to be, you can live a better life if that’s what you want and you can be as saucy as you like. 
Just don’t forget about yourself, needs or happiness. It can be the smallest thing but it can all make a difference.
Just always believe in your own sauce 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
Paola x
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN SAUCE is the only mantra you need right now if it feels like you may be struggling to feel your best. It’s not always easy to believe in your self but remember you can always get there will some love and self care. Recently you may have read about how I had some struggles with my mental health. I’ve had so many life changes recently that my head couldn’t cope with it and was sending me down a weird spiral. However with few changes, including making my self care number one priority, I’m back on the mend and feel happier than I have in weeks. And when I think of this saying it reminds me of who I am and what I can be. And I want to tell you all. You can be as happy as you want to be, you can live a better life if that’s what you want and you can be as saucy as you like. Just don’t forget about yourself, needs or happiness. It can be the smallest thing but it can all make a difference. Just always believe in your own sauce 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 Paola x
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/2
@thetinyitalian

Categories

  • Carne (Meat Dishes)
  • Cook Books
  • Cooking experiences
  • Dolci (Sweet things)
  • Events
  • Fish & Seafood
  • Foodie Shops
  • Frittatas & all things eggs
  • Italian cooking masterclasses
  • Italy
  • London
  • Pasta, Gnocchi & Polenta
  • Pies and Tarts
  • Places to eat
  • Private cooking
  • Pulses
  • Recipes
  • Risotto & Rice Dishes
  • Salads and Side Dishes
  • Saucy Tips
  • Soup & Stews
  • Supper clubs
  • Travel
  • TTI Monthly Italian Food round up
  • TTI Reviews
  • TTI Top 5s
  • UK
  • Vegetarian

Recent Posts

  • Simple summer tomato tuna summer pasta x Garofalo pasta

    28th June 2022
  • 3 ways cooking can be self-care

    24th June 2022
  • Easy seared tuna and Panzanella salad

    29th May 2022
ITS HERE! THE ONLY PASTA DISH YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER.

A no-cook pasta, jam packed with flavour. 
A summer tomato tuna Riccioli using the best pasta @garofalopastauk and a wealth of quality store cupboard ingredients.
If you’re a lover of fusilli, move over as we have a new pasta shape Riccioli (curly) to get to grips with. It’s curves and crevices are perfect to collect all the wonderful ingredients in this dish.
Available from @ocadouk and @amazonuk. 

For the full recipe head to the link in my bio. 

#garofalo #summerpasta #pastasalad #easypasta #pastalover.
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
ITS HERE! THE ONLY PASTA DISH YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER. A no-cook pasta, jam packed with flavour. A summer tomato tuna Riccioli using the best pasta @garofalopastauk and a wealth of quality store cupboard ingredients. If you’re a lover of fusilli, move over as we have a new pasta shape Riccioli (curly) to get to grips with. It’s curves and crevices are perfect to collect all the wonderful ingredients in this dish. Available from @ocadouk and @amazonuk. For the full recipe head to the link in my bio. #garofalo #summerpasta #pastasalad #easypasta #pastalover.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN SAUCE is the only mantra you need right now if it feels like you may be struggling to feel your best. It’s not always easy to believe in your self but remember you can always get there will some love and self care.
Recently you may have read about how I had some struggles with my mental health. I’ve had so many life changes recently that my head couldn’t cope with it and was sending me down a weird spiral.

However with few changes, including making my self care number one priority, I’m  back on the mend and feel happier than I have in weeks. And when I think of this saying it reminds me of who I am and what I can be. And I want to tell you all. You can be as happy as you want to be, you can live a better life if that’s what you want and you can be as saucy as you like. 
Just don’t forget about yourself, needs or happiness. It can be the smallest thing but it can all make a difference.
Just always believe in your own sauce 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
Paola x
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN SAUCE is the only mantra you need right now if it feels like you may be struggling to feel your best. It’s not always easy to believe in your self but remember you can always get there will some love and self care. Recently you may have read about how I had some struggles with my mental health. I’ve had so many life changes recently that my head couldn’t cope with it and was sending me down a weird spiral. However with few changes, including making my self care number one priority, I’m back on the mend and feel happier than I have in weeks. And when I think of this saying it reminds me of who I am and what I can be. And I want to tell you all. You can be as happy as you want to be, you can live a better life if that’s what you want and you can be as saucy as you like. Just don’t forget about yourself, needs or happiness. It can be the smallest thing but it can all make a difference. Just always believe in your own sauce 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 Paola x
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
THE ONLY PASTA SALAD YOU WILL WANT TO EAT THIS SUMMER. 
Flavourful, super easy to recreate and full of goodness. What’s not to like, right?

Still a couple of days until the recipe video is revealed but in the meantime I thought I would share with you the shopping list along with where to get this amazing Riccioli @garofalopastauk pasta shape which you can order online @amazonuk or @ocadouk. 

🍽Serves 2/3 people 

🍝 250g @garofalopastauk pasta
🍅 400g cherry tomatoes on the vine.
🧄 1 garlic clove
🍃 Fresh basil
🐟 160g good-quality tinned tuna (in olive oil)
🫒 80g black kalamata olives
🌿2 tbsp capers
🍋 Lemon
🍶Extra-virgin olive oil
🧂Sea salt + black pepper

Perfect for dinner or wonderfully served up as a pasta salad for some alfresco dining. It involves no cooking however to make this dish extra special it’s all about using the best quality ingredients you can get your hands on. 
Remember it’s all about cooking food that makes you feel good. ❤️ We are all worth it. 

#pastasalad #summerpasta #eatbetterfeelbetter
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
THE ONLY PASTA SALAD YOU WILL WANT TO EAT THIS SUMMER. Flavourful, super easy to recreate and full of goodness. What’s not to like, right? Still a couple of days until the recipe video is revealed but in the meantime I thought I would share with you the shopping list along with where to get this amazing Riccioli @garofalopastauk pasta shape which you can order online @amazonuk or @ocadouk. 🍽Serves 2/3 people 🍝 250g @garofalopastauk pasta 🍅 400g cherry tomatoes on the vine. 🧄 1 garlic clove 🍃 Fresh basil 🐟 160g good-quality tinned tuna (in olive oil) 🫒 80g black kalamata olives 🌿2 tbsp capers 🍋 Lemon 🍶Extra-virgin olive oil 🧂Sea salt + black pepper Perfect for dinner or wonderfully served up as a pasta salad for some alfresco dining. It involves no cooking however to make this dish extra special it’s all about using the best quality ingredients you can get your hands on. Remember it’s all about cooking food that makes you feel good. ❤️ We are all worth it. #pastasalad #summerpasta #eatbetterfeelbetter
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
In my newsletter last week, I discussed how as humans it’s easier to convince ourselves to not do that ‘thing’ that will make us feel better.
For example, 
- to stay in bed rather than get up to do some exercise which will give you the energy to get your work done.
- order a takeaway rather than cook a dinner which will make you feel 💯 better.
- scroll on your phone for 15 mins rather then have  a lovely cup of tea in peace.
It happens so often in our lives we probably don’t notice it. But due to our busy lifestyles it sometimes feels easier to not do anything “EXTRA”. 

But let me ask you, why does everything else take precedent over “US” and our self-care.

Why is it that what we really need to make us feel good, isn’t as important. 
Why do we focus on how hard those actions will be rather than focus on how that EFFORT will make us feel so good after.

The truth is if we don’t take care of ourselves than we will never feel our best to take on everyday or live our best lives. It’s as simple as that and I recently learnt that the hard way.

 I wish this was something I was taught from an early age rather than thinking life was about working and making money. 

This is a topic I constantly discuss with my Saucy Society cooking members. The importance of enjoying your love of food at home by cooking dishes that will make you feel good and give you so much pleasure. That’s correct. Cooking can be self-care and not just that chore you want to avoid. 

If you’re someone who could benefit from making better food decisions, get help with cooking motivation and would love to transform your cooking relationship to develop a delicious healthy self-care habit. 
The Saucy Society is what you’re looking for. 
The best self-care online cooking community on the planet. 

More info? Link in bio. 

#eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcareroutine #goodfoodgoodmood
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
In my newsletter last week, I discussed how as humans it’s easier to convince ourselves to not do that ‘thing’ that will make us feel better. For example, - to stay in bed rather than get up to do some exercise which will give you the energy to get your work done. - order a takeaway rather than cook a dinner which will make you feel 💯 better. - scroll on your phone for 15 mins rather then have a lovely cup of tea in peace. It happens so often in our lives we probably don’t notice it. But due to our busy lifestyles it sometimes feels easier to not do anything “EXTRA”. But let me ask you, why does everything else take precedent over “US” and our self-care. Why is it that what we really need to make us feel good, isn’t as important. Why do we focus on how hard those actions will be rather than focus on how that EFFORT will make us feel so good after. The truth is if we don’t take care of ourselves than we will never feel our best to take on everyday or live our best lives. It’s as simple as that and I recently learnt that the hard way. I wish this was something I was taught from an early age rather than thinking life was about working and making money. This is a topic I constantly discuss with my Saucy Society cooking members. The importance of enjoying your love of food at home by cooking dishes that will make you feel good and give you so much pleasure. That’s correct. Cooking can be self-care and not just that chore you want to avoid. If you’re someone who could benefit from making better food decisions, get help with cooking motivation and would love to transform your cooking relationship to develop a delicious healthy self-care habit. The Saucy Society is what you’re looking for. The best self-care online cooking community on the planet. More info? Link in bio. #eatbetterfeelbetter #selfcareroutine #goodfoodgoodmood
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
Tonight, C4, 8pm. New show. One question with @claudiawinkle 
If you’re in tonight make sure you watch it xxx 
Such a fun thing to do before my bestie @marie_davies1 moved to NYC. Find out what happens tonight x
thetinyitalian
thetinyitalian
•
Follow
Tonight, C4, 8pm. New show. One question with @claudiawinkle If you’re in tonight make sure you watch it xxx Such a fun thing to do before my bestie @marie_davies1 moved to NYC. Find out what happens tonight x
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@thetinyitalian
  • Blog
  • Media Pack
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
wave-graphic-file

Copyright 2021 The Tiny Italian - Authentic Italian Cooking Experiences | Paola Maggiulli | All rights reserved Site Customised By sm web designs.