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Butternut Squash Alfredo with Broccoli Recipe

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Butternut Squash Alfredo recipe with rigatoni pasta and broccoli! This meal will win over any kid and it’s perfect for fall! 

The benefits of Butternut Squash

Whenever we can incorporate vegetables into our dinner recipes, we do!  Winter squash is one of the easiest veggies to include because the texture can be creamy like cheese, and the flavor can take on other flavors in your recipe.  But winter squash like butternut isn’t just a picky eater friendly veggie.   It has some amazing nutrients as well.  A typical butternut squash contains:

  • Immune supportive Vitamin A.
  • Anti-inflammatory Omega-3’s
  • Fiber, which kids are always in need of increasing for digestive health.

Roasting the veggies (butternut squash and broccoli)

The first step of this delicious butternut squash recipe is to roast the squash and the broccoli. Roasting really brings out the flavor and softens the veggies for later blending.  Never be afraid to add more veggies!  This recipe calls for squash and broccoli, but you can definitely add additional veggies or swap some out.  Some suggestions would be sauteed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, kale, or Brussels sprouts. Even adding a protein like chicken could really take this up a notch! Don’t be afraid to experiment and add even more health benefits to every meal!

I cubed my squash to bake, but you can also bake it on the skin in pieces and then scrape it out once it’s cooked! Do whatever you find easiest.  I roasted my broccoli on a separate sheet pan just in case the broccoli cooked a little faster than the squash.

Whole Wheat Pasta

The second step is to cook your pasta.  The main difference between white and whole wheat pasta is in the processing. Whole wheat contains three parts of the grain—the bran (the grain’s outer layer), the germ (the sprouting section of the seed), and the endosperm (the large starchy center). During processing, the heat forces the nutrient-rich bran and germ out of the grain, leaving just the endosperm behind. What is left generally has a longer shelf life, not to mention a cheaper price tag, but it is considered nutritionally weaker.  Most pasta is fortified adding back some of those nutrients that are lost.

Getting used to the taste and texture of whole wheat pasta may take a little time, thanks to its strong, nuttier flavor and more grainy consistency. But following the suggested cooking will ensure the noodles don’t get too gummy and start sticking together.  With the right sauce or topping, adding whole wheat pasta is an easy way to enjoy a healthy meal.

Broccoli Butternut Squash Alfredo

Putting together the recipe

The final step is the sauce and putting it altogether.  Making a creamy milk sauce on the stove and then blending it with the butternut squash gave us the sauce to top the broccoli and pasta.  We blended the butternut in a blender and then poured it on top!  This butternut squash recipe is so delicious and a great way to get your kids to enjoy eating winter squash.

Butternut Squash Alfredo with Broccoli | Healthy Ideas for Kids

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3.9 from 99 votes

Butternut Squash Alfredo with Broccoli

Butternut Squash Alfredo recipe with rigatoni pasta and broccoli! This meal will win over any kid and it’s perfect for fall! 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 1 cup
Calories: 347kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut butternut squash into 1 inch cubes and place them and broccoli florets on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • While your veggies bake, cook pasta and drain out water.
  • In large pan over medium-high heat add butter and garlic. Let melt. Add flour and whisk in until smooth.  Cook for 2 minutes and then add milk and bring to a boil.  Stir occasionally.  Add nutmeg and cheese and stir until smooth.
  • In a blender, add milk mixture and cooked butternut squash.  Blend until smooth.  Pour over cooked pasta and stir until coated .  Add broccoli and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 275mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g
Keyword : Butternut Squash Alfredo with Broccoli

www.superhealthykids.com

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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16 Comments

Can I baked the butternut squash a day early? And refigerate then blend next day? Or do I have to bake it the day I’m making it?

5 stars
This is very tasty and easy too! I added baked mini turkey meatballs to bump up the protein. Not sure how the leftovers will be because the sauce dries up a bit but the flavor will certainly still be there. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.

Absolutely! Try preheating your roasting pan before adding the squash to help get caramelization. 🙂

5 stars
I added rosemary plus 1/4 of pasta water to the sauce. I also added spicy Italian turkey sausage. I had extra squash so I threw that in. Yummmm.