Butternut Squash Pasta is a quick, comforting, and delicious pasta recipe that is cheesy and creamy, made with a seasonal ingredient - butternut squash in an Instant Pot pressure cooker or on the Stovetop. A healthier alternative that the family will love!
My daughter Dhwani craves pasta at least twice a week. So when I made this creamy butternut squash pasta, she finished her plate in 5 minutes! She loved it so much and couldn't even tell there were hidden veggies in it.
This vegetarian squash pasta is so cheesy and creamy, we can easily skip the marinara (tomato-based) and opt for a healthier, nutrient-loaded sauce instead. It is going to be a favorite meal from now on.
I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT, and it can be made in under 15 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.
If you like butternut squash, then check out more Butternut Squash Recipes
How to Make Butternut Squash Pasta in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
I used the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method to prepare this pasta dish.
Turn on the Instant Pot to 'Saute' mode. Add the butter, followed by the garlic and onions. Sauté for a few minutes till the onions turn translucent.
Next, add the cubed butternut squash and stir it with the rest of the ingredients.
Add the vegetable broth (or water), salt, and mix well.
Meanwhile, in an oven-safe bowl or stackable steamer, insert pans, add 2.5 cups of pasta with 3 cups of water, and keep aside. Make sure the pasta is submerged in liquid.
Then place the trivet and then the bowl of dried pasta with water. This way, they will both cook together. See pictures below for reference.
Close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the cooking time for 4 minutes (or half the time on the macaroni cooking directions minus 1 minute).
Once the IP beeps, do a QUICK RELEASE.
Open the lid and, using an immersion blender, puree squash with some milk till smooth and creamy. OR you can also puree the squash in a regular blender or Vitamix.
Now add the cooked pasta followed by cheese, seasoning, salt, pepper powder. Stir constantly until cheese is melted and everything is combined.
Serve this pressure cooker butternut squash pasta topped with more parmesan cheese and parsley.
Accessories needed for making Pasta Pot-in-Pot Method
- Tall Trivet
- Stackable Steamer Insert Pans, or any oven-safe bowl
Stovetop Pot Method
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, peel the butternut squash and remove the seeds. Cut into large chunks.
- Heat the butter in a pan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add some minced garlic and onion and saute till it turns translucent
- Then add the squash, salt, and water, and cook until completely tender. Place the squash mixture into the blender along with some salt and pepper and pulse until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and add the cheese. Stir until melted. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve this creamy butternut squash pasta topped with more Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Expert Tips
- Pasta cooking time: The time to cook pasta in an Instant pot is usually half of the suggested time on the pasta box minus 1 minute for al-dente pasta ( if you like your pasta firm and just done). For example, I made this recipe using a dry shell, which called for 10 minutes of cooking time. That makes it 4 minutes going by the rule of thumb.
- Keep pasta submerged: Ensure that all the pasta is submerged in the liquid before pressure cooking. If it is less, then add some more water or broth.
- Pressure Release: Quick Release is very important for cooking pasta in the Instant Pot. So don't forget, or it will result in very soft pasta.
- Seasoning: I used dried Italian herbs for seasoning, but you could use freshly chopped parsley or sage.
Variations
- Adding milk while pureeing butternut squash sauce is completely optional.
- You can also add steamed broccoli florets to this pasta, in the end, to make it healthier and delicious.
- You can also use frozen butternut squash for this recipe.
- This pasta can also be made using air fryer roasted butternut squash.
- I used water for this recipe. However, for the best flavor, you can use vegetable broth.
Also check my Kids Lunch Box Recipes Posts
Butternut Squash Pasta + Dry Grapes + Orange
FAQs
I have used mozzarella cheese for this recipe. Parmesan cheese works best, but feel free to use your family's favorite cheese.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
For a vegan version of this butternut squash pasta recipe, you can replace butter with extra virgin olive oil, use vegan cheese, or you can skip cheese itself. Also, you can use dairy-free milk like almond milk (or any dairy-free milk) instead of regular whole milk or half and half.
More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounce dry shell pasta (about 2.5 cups)
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash peeled and deseeded
- 3 cups water (to cook pasta)
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water (to cook butternut squash)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese or any cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley or mixed dried herbs
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup milk or half and half (optional)
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Turn on the IP to 'Saute' mode. Add the butter, followed by the garlic and onions. Sauté for a few minutes till the onions turn translucent.
- Next, add the cubed butternut squash and stir it with the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the vegetable broth or water, salt and mix well.
- Meanwhile, in an oven-safe bowl or stackable steamer, insert pans add 3 cups of pasta with 3 cups of water, and keep aside. Make sure pasta should be submerged in liquid.
- Then place the trivet and then the bowl of dried pasta with water. This way, they will both cook together. See pictures below for reference.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the cooking time for 4 minutes (or half the time on the macaroni cooking directions minus 1 minute).
- Once the IP beeps, do a QUICK RELEASE.
- Open the lid and, using an immersion blender, puree squash with some milk till smooth and creamy. OR you can also puree the squash in a regular blender or Vitamix.
- Now add the cooked pasta followed by cheese, seasoning, salt, pepper powder. Stir constantly until cheese is melted and everything is combined.
- Serve pasta topped with more Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Stovetop Pot Method:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, peel the butternut squash and remove the seeds. Cut into large chunks.
- Heat the butter in a pan or skillet over medium low heat.
- Add some minced garlic and onion saute till turn translucent.
- Then add the squash, salt, and water, cook until completely tender. Place the squash mixture into the blender along with some salt and pepper and pulse until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and add the cheese. Stir until melted. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve pasta topped with more Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Notes
Tips
- Pasta cooking time: The time to cook pasta in an Instant pot is usually half of the suggested time on the pasta box minus 1 minute for al-dente pasta ( if you like your pasta firm and are just done). For example, I made this recipe using a dry shell which called for 10 minutes of cooking time. That makes it 4 minutes going by the rule of thumb.
- Keep pasta submerged: You have to make sure that all the pasta is submerged in the liquid before pressure cooking. If it is less, then add some more water or broth
- Pressure Release: Quick Release is very important for cooking pasta in the Instant Pot. So don't forget else it will result in very soft pasta.
- Seasoning: I have used dried Italian herbs for seasoning but you could use freshly chopped parsley or sage.
Variations
- Adding milk while pureeing butternut squash sauce is completely optional.
- You can also add steamed broccoli florets in this pasta, in the end, to make it more healthy and delicious.
- You can also use frozen butternut squash for this recipe.
- This pasta can also be made using roasted butternut squash.
Nutrition
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PARINA PATEL
I just made it. I bought precut squash. I used better than builion (2 tsp) and no salt. It tastes so yummy. Didn't really need the milk. I can't wait for my daughter to eat it tonight. Thank you!!!!
bhavana
Awesome Parina ? So glad you loved it ? I have a 4-year old daughter & she loves it too ? Looking forward to hear back from you ?