{"id":59,"date":"2020-03-19T13:27:11","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T13:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/?p=59"},"modified":"2020-07-19T13:28:20","modified_gmt":"2020-07-19T13:28:20","slug":"dreamy-vegan-acorn-squash-pasta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/?p=59","title":{"rendered":"Dreamy Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta"},"content":{"rendered":"

This easy go-to plant-based dish turns super nutritious acorn squash and white navy beans into a deliciously creamy and dreamy pasta sauce to top any whole grain pasta or gluten-free noodles you prefer. You can use canned white navy beans or pre-cooked white navy beans (from dry) in this recipe. (Want to learn more about how nutritious acorn squashes are?\u00a0Read here). [wprm-jump-recipe]<\/p>\n

This protein-rich and satisfying\u00a0Dreamy Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0only has 10 key ingredients and is dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free and soy-free. It can also be easily made gluten-free if you use gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, rice noodles or spaghetti squash noodles. Pair with extra vegetables on the side or a piece of toasty Bruschetta (try this\u00a0Vegan Kale Mushroom Bruschetta recipe), whole grain bread or gluten-free alternative. The addition of vitamin B-12 fortified nutritional yeast in this recipe gives a slight \u2018cheesiness\u2019 and an extra nutritional boost to the dish, but it is not compulsory to add this if you don\u2019t have any nutritional yeast on hand. If you desire an extra cheesiness to this pasta sauce, then sprinkle a handful of vegan cheese shreds onto each pasta and sauce combination plate before serving. Read on for the recipe!<\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dreamy Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta<\/div>\n
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Prep Time<\/div>\n
10<\/span>\u00a0mins<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Cook Time<\/div>\n
25<\/span>\u00a0mins<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Total Time<\/div>\n
35<\/span>\u00a0mins<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A filling vegan, plant-based, nut-free, egg-free, soy-free, dairy-free (and possibly gluten-free) pasta dish that will satisfy the whole family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Course:<\/span>\u00a0Main Course, Side Dish<\/span><\/div>\n
Cuisine:<\/span>\u00a0All Cuisines, Vegan<\/span><\/div>\n
Servings<\/span>:\u00a05<\/span>\u00a0people<\/span><\/div>\n
Calories<\/span>:\u00a0176<\/span>\u00a0kcal<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ingredients<\/div>\n
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  • 1.5<\/span>\u00a0cups<\/span>\u00a0cooked or canned white navy beans<\/span>\u00a0[268 g]<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 3<\/span>\u00a0cups<\/span>\u00a0chopped cooked acorn squash cubes, either steamed or roasted<\/span>\u00a0[425 g] (or a small acorn squash with raw weight of 583 g)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00bd<\/span>\u00a0tablespoon<\/span>\u00a0canola oil<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1<\/span>\u00a0cup<\/span>\u00a0chopped onion<\/span>\u00a0[125 g]<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1<\/span>\u00a0cup<\/span>\u00a0chopped carrots\u00a0<\/span>[135 g]<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 5<\/span>\u00a0large garlic cloves<\/span>\u00a0(chopped)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00be<\/span>\u00a0cup<\/span>\u00a0vegetable broth<\/span>\u00a0(or water)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00be<\/span>\u00a0teaspoon<\/span>\u00a0salt<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00be<\/span>\u00a0teaspoon<\/span>\u00a0pepper<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 2<\/span>\u00a0tablespoons<\/span>\u00a0vitamin B-12 fortified nutritional yeast<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1<\/span>\u00a0box whole wheat spaghetti noodles or fusilli pasta or gluten-free pasta<\/span>\u00a0(not included in the nutritional analysis)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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    Optional Toppings:<\/div>\n
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    • roasted pumpkin seeds<\/span><\/li>\n
    • chopped walnuts or pecan nuts<\/span><\/li>\n
    • handful of vegan cheese shreds<\/span>\u00a0(for a more ‘cheesy’ flavor)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Instructions<\/div>\n
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      1. \n
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        If using canned white navy beans, rinse and drain the beans well with cold water, then set the measured amount aside. Alternatively use cooked white navy beans (for tips on cooking dry beans,\u00a0read this article).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      2. \n
        \n

        Wash and slice a small acorn squash in half through the stem and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then cook the acorn squash via roasting or steaming. To steam, place the acorn squash halves in a steamer pot that is already steaming and cook them for about 10 minutes or until just tender. (Don\u2019t have a steamer pot?\u00a0Click here\u00a0to find out how to build your own set-up.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      3. \n
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        To roast, preheat the oven to 350 F or 177 C. Then further cut the acorn squash halves into 1 – 1.5 inch wide semi-circle slices. Spread these acorn squash slices evenly onto a foil lined baking sheet or a wide glass bakeware pan. Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until tender (can be pierced through with a fork). (Optional: brush the orange cut sides with a bit of olive oil before baking.)\u00a0While the acorn squash is cooking, proceed with the next few steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      4. \n
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        Chop the onions, garlic and carrots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      5. \n
        Prepare pasta (or gluten-free alternative) according to package instructions.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
      6. \n
        Heat the \u00bd tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan or skillet on a medium stove heat setting. Once heated, add the onions, garlic and carrot slices and saut\u00e9 for about 8 minutes or until soft.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
      7. \n
        Next, add in the cooked or canned white navy beans, salt and pepper. Stir and let the saucepan contents cook for another 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heating stove element.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
      8. \n
        \n

        Use a knife or fork to poke the acorn squash in the steamer to see if it is almost cooked through. If so, remove these halves from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes. Then use a fruit peeler to easily remove the skins off the acorn squash halves (or slice the acorn squash into wedges and use a knife or fruit peeler to remove the skin off of each wedge). Chop the peeled cooked acorn squash into cubes to make 3 cups\u2019 worth. If roasting, when the acorn squash slices are cooked through, remove them from the oven and let cool before cutting into cubes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \"\"<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
      9. \n
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        Place the saut\u00e9ed contents from the saucepan into a large food processor bowl or blender, along with the 3 cups of chopped acorn squash and vegetable broth (or water). Pulse a few times until a smooth creamy pasta sauce is formed. Add in the nutritional yeast and pulse again to combine all the ingredients well. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve with your desired whole grain pasta or gluten-free alternative!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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        Recipe Notes<\/div>\n

        Roasting the acorn squash may be more flavorful but this step would also extend the cooking process so plan ahead. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can just use raw acorn squash cubes in this recipe. To do so, remove the peel of the sliced semi-circle shaped acorn squash wedges and then chop up the acorn squash flesh into 3 cups\u2019 worth of cubes. Then add the acorn squash cubes in with the chopped carrots, garlic and onions to saut\u00e9 for a longer period of time until all pieces are soft and cooked through.<\/p>\n

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        If you do not have vitamin B-12 fortified nutritional yeast, you can omit this from the recipe.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        For an oil-free recipe, substitute the canola oil with \u00bc cup [60 mL] of vegetable broth to saut\u00e9 the garlic, onions, carrots and raw acorn squash cubes (if using raw instead of pre-cooked acorn squash in this recipe) on a medium heat stovetop setting until most of the vegetable broth has been cooked off and the onion pieces are soft and translucent.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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        Nutrition Facts<\/div>\n
        Dreamy Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta<\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n
        Amount Per Serving<\/div>\n
        Calories<\/strong>\u00a0176<\/span>Calories from Fat 18<\/span><\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n
        % Daily Value*<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Fat<\/strong>\u00a02g<\/span>3%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Sodium<\/strong>\u00a0863mg<\/span>38%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Potassium<\/strong>\u00a0718mg<\/span>21%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Carbohydrates<\/strong>\u00a033g<\/span>11%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Fiber 7g<\/span>29%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Sugar 3g<\/span>3%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Protein<\/strong>\u00a08g<\/span>16%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n
        Vitamin A<\/strong>\u00a04660IU<\/span>93%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Vitamin C<\/strong>\u00a014.6mg<\/span>18%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Calcium<\/strong>\u00a086mg<\/span>9%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        Iron<\/strong>\u00a02.4mg<\/span>13%<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
        * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

         <\/p>\n

        The roasted pumpkin seeds or nuts all make a fantastic combination with this pasta sauce! If you want this pasta sauce to be less thick and creamy-like, you can add a bit more vegetable broth into the food processor to create a thinner consistency sauce. If you have extra cooked acorn squash remaining, these would make a nice accompaniment as a side dish.<\/p>\n

        This\u00a0Dreamy Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is extremely versatile. Have some left over after your dinner meal? Just freeze up what\u2019s left or take those leftovers to work or school later in the week. You can even make a large batch of this sauce on the weekends as a meal prep recipe and then divide the sauce into smaller portions for single meals. I have even frozen small portions of sauce in ice-cube trays to keep and use for my toddler and school-aged child as lunchbox pasta meals. Have a party or potluck get together coming up? Why not make this dish for all to enjoy at the function? Hope you and your family enjoy this cozy and filling meal on a weeknight or lazy weekend!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        This easy go-to plant-based dish turns super nutritious acorn squash and white navy beans into a deliciously creamy and dreamy pasta sauce to top any whole grain pasta or gluten-free noodles you prefer. You can use canned white navy beans or pre-cooked white navy beans (from dry) in this recipe. (Want to learn more about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions\/61"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/60"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cambridgemicroscope.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}