pasta in squash sauce

you can serve this sauce over any pasta, but it pairs well with ricotta cheese, aka ravioli or tortellini. Serves 4.

  • 12 ounces pasta, cooked according to package directions

  • 12 ounces frozen butternut squash puree, thawed in the fridge - or 1/2 butternut squash roasted in the oven at 400º for one hour and scooped out

  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes

  • 1/2 onion, diced

  • 1 bell pepper, diced

  • olive oil

  • 1/2 tbsp oregano

  • fresh basil, chopped

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • optional: 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

  • optional: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

Saute onion and bell pepper, in olive oil until soft, in a large saucepan. Add squash, tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until heated through. Add beans.

If using, cook chicken in additional olive oil in a separate pan. Drain and add to sauce. Optional: add two handfuls of baby spinach to the sauce. Serve over cooked pasta.