It was a rollercoaster of a week.
On Friday, I shipped my huge bundle of book edits back to New York. A definite high point this year. Strangely, I enjoyed the meticulous process of sifting through each chapter line by line. By the time I finished almost every page was scribbled with red ink and I squeezed in a few photo re-shoots too. I lived and breathed that document day and night, as you might have guessed from my blog absence. After a few curse words at the Staples print & copy centre (never underestimate how many times a multi-thousand dollar printer will jam…), I even printed my own copy should anything happen to the one in the mail. You will not get me this time, postal service!
Naturally, I went straight to the grocery store and bought some cheesy kale chips and a dark chocolate bar to celebrate. Living. it. up.
If that wasn’t exciting enough, we found the house of our dreams last week. We’ve been looking for almost a year now. It almost felt too good to be true and I barely slept all week. This house has everything on our list with several renovation projects for us to tackle in the future. Everything felt like it was falling into place after a challenging year. We’ve been dealing with some rental issues lately and we’re just ready to move on and settle down. Plant roots. Build another vegetable garden. Storage space! This house was the one, we were certain. I’m a bit superstitious, so I didn’t even tell my family about it because I didn’t want to jinx it.
Well.
We lost the house. It was scooped up by a higher bidder. Nothing new in this hot housing market, but it’s still tough to swallow when you get your heart set on something. We had already spent a few days planning and preparing ourselves for a quick move, taking measurements, dreaming, the whole shebang, and then it was all over just like that. I went from cloud nine to feeling rejected and defeated all within a few hours. Back to square one.
I tried to cheer us up by playing the “let’s list all the things we don’t like about the house” game. A solid effort, but we weren’t fooling anybody. Love is blind.
This dish, on the other hand, was just what we needed – a hug in a bowl, and a reminder that time heals all wounds. So what if I burned the broccoli to a crisp and overcooked the pasta. It was still major comfort food when nothing else seemed to help. Plus, I discovered that over-cooked crispy broccoli tastes a lot like kale chips. Yes, I ate every one straight off the pan. Weird, but good.
In the end, I realized that nothing good ever comes out of a full moon eclipse, especially if you happen to be pms-ing. Unless of course this meal is the end result. Then it’s not a total loss.
Onward and upward, keep the faith, may better things come to those who wait, and all that cliché jazz… :)
Smoky Butternut Squash Sauce with Pasta and Greens
Yield
4-6
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
This recipe is adapted from my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheeze recipe from 2011. While the former version is a huge hit on the blog, some of you didn't like how sweet the sauce is. I've been playing around with this recipe every time I make it. This version I'm sharing today is still quite sweet thanks to the butternut squash and cashews, but I've tried to balance it out better with some smoky seasonings like liquid smoke, chili powder, smoked paprika, and some hot sauce for a kick and more depth of flavour. It's a big hit in this house. Feel free to adjust the various seasonings to taste. This sauce is also great heated up and poured over roasted vegetables and brown rice. Use it any way you see fit! I think you'll be surprised by how creamy and satisfying it is all without a lick of butter or oil.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1 (3.5-4 pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced (or two (450g) packages chopped squash)
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, but recommended)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
- hot sauce, to taste
- 1 (450g) package mini shell or macaroni pasta (use gluten-free, if desired)
- roasted broccoli or sauteed kale leaves, to stir into pasta
Directions
- Add cashews in a small bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight or for at least 3-4 hours, until soft and plump. Drain and rinse before use.
- Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. See note about prepping squash below. Spread out chopped squash on sheet and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Roast for 30-40 minutes, flipping once half way through baking, until squash is fork tender. Let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- Add the soaked and drained cashews, water, garlic, nutritional yeast (if using), lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and 2 cups of cooked squash into a high speed blender. Blend on high until smooth. Now add the salt, liquid smoke, and hot sauce to taste and blend again.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. If using broccoli, kale, or other vegetables, roast or saute those too.
- Add the drained pasta back into the pot. Pour on your desired amount of sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the cooked vegetables, if using. Cook over medium until heated throughout and serve immediately.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 1 week or so in the fridge. It's great poured on roasted vegetables too!
Tip:
Time saver: You can also simply slice the squash in half, remove seeds, and roast the two halves rather than chopping the squash up. The butternut squash sauce makes 2.75 cups.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Some of you mentioned that the Recipage feature has not been working lately. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. Apparently, Recipage did a big server migration last week and some kinks are still being worked out. I encourage you to use the recipe drop-down category menu at the top of the blog or the search bar on the right hand side. I do realize that this doesn’t help for the few recipes that were only uploaded into Recipage though. Hopefully, all will be well soon. :) Sometime in the future we will be creating our own in-house recipe search page, most likely after Eric has completed the new app. Thanks for your patience!
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about the house. It’s hard to see things that way when you’re going through the motions, but just believe that there was something utterly wrong with the house that you didn’t find in it’s outer shell. Maybe the pluming wasn’t the newest anymore, or some major component would be breaking soon after you moved in – if the house really was for you it would have worked out. Don’t despair! Your perfect house will come when it’s ready for you.
– on another note. I need to go buy some more nutritional yeast and make this. My CSA box had lots of butternut squash in it this week, this recipe is meant to happen.
So sorry to hear about the house, Angela. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. You are wonderful and when it’s right it will happen. Who knows, maybe there were structural problems or something that will make you grateful it didn’t happen! Good luck with the search!
Sorry to hear about the house but I’m sure the real house of your dreams will come along soon. I think that life will always work itself out for the better and you will realize that later after you get over the disappointment. But I am super excited to try this recipe – might have to make it happen tonight!
I’m so sorry that you guys didn’t get the house! It’s so hard when you get excited about something that doesn’t pan out. I’m sure there are still many other perfect houses for you guys waiting out there though – just keep looking! :)
This dish looks so cozy and comforting for this recent chilly weather we’ve had! Where did you find the liquid smoke though? I’ve never been able to find it anywhere around here!
Totally know how you feel with the house, my husband and I had found the perfect house for us and it was scooped up – I won’t lie we were bummed for a couple months. Things do have a way of working out and it just means there is something even better that awaits you.
In other news this dish looks absolutely amazing – I wish I could just eat it right off my computer screen! – I even have a butternut squash and I know it can sense me eye-balling it right now – Ha.
Sorry to hear you didn’t get the house. Hopefully, something else will come along soon!
This dish looks like the perfect comfort food! Yum!
Thanks so much for another wonderful recipe. I have a butternut squash and was wondering what to do with it. I am so sorry that you didn’t get your dream house. Way to go on getting the cookbook edited. I can hardly wait for it to be published.
Huge congrats on the book!! And here’s to finding your home, one that was truly meant to be. I’ve found it is very difficult to recite all of those PMA quotes and thoughts..but that having patience is that much more rewarding :)
I made butternut squash mac and cheese this weekend too! It is the perfect comfort food. Sorry to hear about the house! The GTA housing market is nuts… but I have hope for you!
looks so bright and creamy! thanks for reminding me about using cashews as a creamy replacement for cream. “eat to live” has an amazing cashew salad dressing which uses the same principles. thanks for jogging my memory! nice thing to keep in mind while heading into the typically overload on richness time of year.!
Can you believe I made an adapted version of your original recipe this weekend and just finished it off last night? Crazy coincidence!
For the commenter who asked about a food processor; that is what I use and the sauce still tastes fantastic but like Angela said, it doesn’t get as smooth.
Sorry about the house Angela, I’ve been there and know how heartbreaking of a feeling it is. Hopefully you will find a house that is even more perfect soon!
This recipe looks delish!
Sorry to hear about the house, it just means that something better is coming and when it does you’ll say “and we thought the other house was the one!”.
I noticed you have a Nutritional Info link below your recipe but it doesn’t work. Is it supposed to? I’d be interested in the details if you have them. Thanks!
Hey Vanessa, Sorry about that – it’s a bug. The nutritional info link shouldn’t be there. We’ll take care of it!
Sorry you lost the house. Eventually you’ll find something even better :)
I am new to your blog… and love it by the way. I am researching and reading everything I can find on healthy ways of eating and this recipe looks amazing. I LOVE butternut squash. One question…. why do you always soak the nuts before using?
Thanks…. and good luck house hunting.
Cat
Hey Cathy, Great question! In a “nutshell” (hehe), soaking the nuts helps them digest better. It also softens the nuts and makes them easier to puree in a sauce. Hope this helps!
Sorry about the house :( We are just dipping our toes into home-buying now and it’s already tough…this market is ridiculous! But that squash sauce does look like a good antidote to dissapointment, yum!
So sorry to hear about the house. That’s a tough blow. As a couple who are starting to explore the Toronto housing market, my boyfriend and I can identify with you and Eric.
As a vegetarian with a tree nut allergy, I was wondering if you have any suggestions for substitutions for nuts in your recipes. So many of them have nuts (totally understandable), and I’m wondering if you have any tips for modifying. Are the cashews essential for the flavour of this recipe? Thanks so much.
P.S. If you’re looking for new recipe challenges, I’d love to see snack/energy bar ideas that can be made without nuts.
Hey Lindsay, The cashews are totally optional here – I should put that into the recipe. It’s still quite tasty without them! Let me know if you try it out.
Good luck with your house hunt…it’s not easy!!
This looks great! I’ve always been a bit intimidated by liquid smoke, but after seeing this I’ll have to try it :)
This looks great, Angela! I make a similar one with sweet potato. The smokey flavor is a great idea. So sorry to hear about your house! Don’t worry though, some day you might come to find that not buying that house was a lucky break. That’s what happened with Todd and me! :) Cheers!
Yup, the perfect Fall dinner in my opinion! I can’t wait to make this one next week ;) This week I’m making your Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto, which is one of my favorite recipes of yours!
I always add a little tamari to my macaroni and cheese. It adds seasoning and a savory flavor. It’d be great in this! I’ll have to try this recipe.
Good luck on your house hunting, we are right in the middle of that too.
That looks so amazing, but I can’t access the nutrition info. :-( Could you check the link?? I’d love to make it but I’m following Weight Watchers and need to do the ever-important point calculation!
Wow, this looks so delicious! I just happened upon your blog today and I love all of your pictures, can’t wait to read more!
Made it last night, it tasted great! For lunch today, just reheated it and added some veggie broth to thin it out a tad and enjoyed it as soup!
Sorry about the house! Know that feeling as we keep getting out bidded too! This looks awesome – can’t wait to try as my husband can’t have dairy. I am so anxious to get your cookbook – keep us posted! Comes out March – correct? Thank you so much!
I always read your blog, but never comment, this recipe looks good.
I just made spag squash, acorn squash is on the counter, and next time at the store I will get butternut. Hang in with the house hunting K~
Thanks for your comment – hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!
I don’t know why, but I’ll try anything that has shell pasta in it. This recipe looks great. Great photographs too.
Wishing you the best! And hopefully a more relaxing week! Congratulations on finishing those book edits :)
I’m really sorry you didn’t get the house. :( House hunting is tough. I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful when the time is right, though. Until then, many hugs and rock on with your cookbook. I am so excited to buy it! You’re such a wonderful chef; my boyfriend and I have never been disappointed with your recipes. :)
In the meantime… holy cow, I am drooling all over my keyboard. We are totally having this for dinner tomorrow night. Thanks again!
My daughter has a severe allergy to cashews. Could I use almonds in place of the cashews? If so, what almonds would you use? Thanks!
Hey Suzanne, The recipes can be made without the cashews – it’s still very tasty. I’m not sure if almonds would work flavour-wise, but if you try it out let me know. I would use raw almonds and soak them overnight as they are quite firm otherwise. good luck!
Thanks for this recipe! I am thinking about a menu for my first vegan Thanksgiving and this looks like a really great idea.
I really hope you will find something else you love (actually I am sure you will). I think if everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to, you wouldn’t appreciate what you have as much. :)
Dear Angela I am so sorry about the house, but every thing happens for a reason I know is very hard when you put your hopes up but I am confident that the perfect house still waiting for you! Thank you for another great recipe !
I lost my dream home too…But then we found an even better home that made the first one look like a joke. We still look back and think, “Thank goodness we didn’t get that house.” I’m sure the same will happen to you :)
haha oh I sure hope so!!
OMG! I did it yesterday and wow! Amazing!
I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and just starting on vegan world and loving it so very much.
That was definitevly what I was looking for my nutrition!
I have already done 3 or 4 of your recipes, and I am loving all of them so much that I decide to add a comment to say a big THANK YOU, Angela! And please keep being that creative!!!
Wishing the best luck to your upcoming book (i will look for it in my next trip to USA, after early 2014) =]
Hey Amanda, So happy to hear this! Thank you so much for your note. :)
“…nothing good ever comes out of a full moon eclipse, especially if you happen to be pms-ing”
Truer words were never spoken! Take heart, you’ll find the house that’s right for you.
Congrats on shipping back the book! That in itself must feel amazing- kale chips + chocolate were definately called for!
The house wil happen for sure, better than you imagined!
I LOVE this recipe, I like to combine pumpkin and butternut squash for a little extra kick!
Angela your blog is amazing. Although I’m not 100% vegan, I make one of your recipes at least every week. They are all so delicious! Anyway, the SAME thing happened to my husband and I with the house situation (looked for 8 months, fell in love, lost to a higher bidder who paid more than 65k the ask!!!) just 3 months ago. I went in to a fit of rage and sadness and responded just the way you did … straight to the mac and cheez :) But I can tell you from experience, you’ll find something! We’re closing on our new place next week and it’s even better than the first house we fell in love with (and lost!). Best of luck with your house hunting! And keep on cooking!
Thank you for your words of encouragement! That makes me feel so much better. :) Im so glad everything worked out for you in the end.
Thanks for your kind words about the blog too!
I’ve just discovered your blog, and now can’t wait for your recipe book to come out. I’m desperate to make this recipe – I haven’t seen liquid smoke here in the UK, but I’m sure I can source it online if I can’t find it in shops. Good luck house -hunting!
So sorry to hear that you lost the house – I can imagine how heartbreaking that is! Eventually, you two will see why it happened that way, and it will all work out.
While I LOVE your previous recipe, I’m super excited to try this one! It sounds perfect for the cooler weather as well – I’m adding it to our menu this week, and I’m fully expecting my cheese-loving husband to be blown away. :)
Do you think I can sub out the butternut squash for canned pumpkin puree? If so, how much do you think I would use? About a cup and a half?
This looks so tasty and comforting, and I’m desperate to make it. I haven’t seen liquid smoke here in the UK, but I guess I can source it online if needs be.
Hi! Have you shared a nut free version of this awesome recipe? My goal is to follow the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine’s advice to avoid nuts for my condition. Would I be able to substitute sunflower seeds?
Thanks.
You can certainly leave out the cashews as they aren’t an absolute necessity in this recipe. I’m not sure about sunflower seeds as they have quite a distinct flavour. Hope this helps!
Thank you Angela. Oh, I know how you feel about the house. We are moving to England next week and just learned that the house we rented may not be ours after all. Nothing to do but stay calm and keep on stepping out on faith! Plus I’ve already invited 8 people over for Thanksgiving. So at least I know I have your recipes. Big help!
Hi, I was wondering if the butternut squash is more for color or taste? I made this sauce last night– I really liked it! It is that sort of food that grows on you as you keep eating it… which is dangerous. But, I didn’t really get any squash flavor. Maybe I missed something?
I just read your blog and can’t wait to try this recipe! I also have to tell you that my husband and I found our dream house in September and we bid on it five hours after it went on the market and then by two different couples. I was so heartbroken! Then 3 weeks later I got a call from our realtor while my husband was in Africa telling me that the deal fell through and it went back on the market!! This time we had no competition and they accepted our lower offer!! We are sooooo beyond thrilled! Keep your head up because this house may still be destined to be yours!! ;)
Oh my gosh, what good luck!!! I guess that’s always an option. So happy for you! Enjoy your new home :)
Making this now – yum!
Do you think I could sub in roasted delicata or acorn squash? And (sorry) I don’t have liquid smoke or nutritional yeast. Do you have any recommendations for other ways to season it? (spices, mustard, herbs, etc…)
I toasted the kale pieces w/slivered carrots & cabbage and added that, as well as chunks of a baked onion, and about a half cup of really good chunky marinara that I had handy… oh my gosh is this GOOOOOOD! THANKS for a great dinner idea~ hubby kept making little MMMMmmmm noises as he enjoyed dinner!
LOVE THIS RECIPE! The original is my all time fav! Squash waiting on the table for me right now.
Made this for dinner tonight and OH MAN is it good. I used smoky chipotle Tabasco sauce, so I skipped the liquid smoke, paprika and chili powder. Perfect amount of sauce for 1/2 lb of pasta. This has to be one of the top 5 dinners I’ve ever made – so insanely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Wow – that sounds like a full on week. Don’t worry about the house. I think you always lose out on one before you find one that you think is EVEN better!
I have a version of this that I cook, but I’ve never thought to saute and add some kale but that looks delicious. What a great idea!
Robyn xx