Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (710ml) butternut squash, cubed
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
  • 3 cloves (15g) garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable broth, low sodium
  • ½ tsp (3g) ground nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 lb (450g) penne or rigatoni
  • 3 cups (85g) fresh kale, stemmed and chopped
  • 1 cup (150g) ricotta cheese, part-skim
  • ½ cup (120ml) pasta water (reserved from boiling)
  • 1 cup (100g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) melted butter
  • 1 tsp (1g) dried sage or chopped fresh sage

Instructions:

  1. Toss cubed squash with olive oil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes until edges are caramelized.
  2. Transfer roasted squash to a blender with garlic, vegetable broth, and nutmeg. Blend until completely smooth and velvety.
  3. Boil pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) of starchy water before draining.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the undercooked pasta, blended squash sauce, part-skim ricotta, and chopped kale. Stir in the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  5. Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  6. In a small bowl, mix Parmesan, panko, melted butter, and sage. Sprinkle evenly over the top and bake until golden brown.