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penne pasta with squash, pancetta and chard sprinkled with Parmesan closeup

Roasted Squash Pasta with Pancetta and Swiss Chard

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
This roasted squash pasta with Swiss chard takes advantage of the seasonal vegetables and delivers healthy and delicious dinner.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 433 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g(½ small) winter squash such as butternut, acorn or kabocha
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 50g/1/4 cup pancetta diced or bacon
  • 4 leaves fresh sage (or ¼ tsp dried sage) chopped
  • 4-5 stalks of Swiss Chard leaves only, sliced
  • 1 lbs short pasta such as penne or your preference
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 50g/1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 220C/450F. Half the squash and and scoop out seeds, cut into quarters. Put the squash in the roasting pan and drizzle with 1 tbsp of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until it could be easily pierced with a knife. Let it cool until it is safe to handle.
  • Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions.
  • When squash is cool enough to handle, peel it and cut into 1" dice.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large frying pan and cook pancetta over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. (It will take less time if you are cooking sliced pancetta.)
  • Add cubed roasted squash, swiss chard and sage and cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes longer. When the pasta is ready drain and reserve ½ cup of water it was cooked in. (If you prefer a creamy taste, add 125ml/1/2 cup of double/heavy cream.)
  • Mix in hot pasta, Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved water to loosen the pasta, stir gently. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • This recipe uses approximately ½ of a medium sized squash. Reserve the other half for another use. Suggested recipe links in the post. 
  • Leave out pancetta for a vegetarian version. 

Nutrition

Calories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 15gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 652mgPotassium: 608mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10884IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 172mgIron: 2mg
Keyword pasta with pancetta, squash pasta
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