How to Make Butternut Squash Noodles (+ Simple Savoury Recipe)
Butternut squash noodles are a great alternative to traditional pasta. They have a light but satisfying taste that is perfect for autumn or winter meals. In this blog post, we will show you how easy they are to make and serve with a tasty but simple sauce of sage and cinnamon!
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How to cut and peel butternut squash
The shape of butternut squash is tubular with a prominent seeded neck area. You should cut the butternut squash to the point where the tube transforms to the wide neck. Save that big chunk to peel, seed, and chop and roast later.
Remove the seeds and the tough stem from the butternut squash. Trim off the end of the squash so it may be stood upright on a cutting board, and use a knife or vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Now you’re ready to make noodles! Small handheld spiralizers might have trouble with butternut squash because of its texture but you can always give it a try.
I prefer the use of a heavy-duty or sturdy device like the Paderno spiralizer. You should also utilize the thickest blade to push butternut squash through the gadget. The trickiest part of the recipe is pushing butternut squash through the machine, therefore I recommend using something robust and strong.
How to cook butternut squash noodles
There are three methods to cook butternut squash noodles, whether you make them yourself or buy them ready-made. You may steam the noodles on the stovetop, sauté them in a pan on the stovetop, or roast them in the oven. The noodles may also be microwaved for a shorter time if necessary but I haven’t always had the best success with them cooked this way.
Tips for making butternut squash noodles
For spiralizing, use the long thin neck section of the butternut squash. The bottom part (where the seeds are), known as bulbous, is not suitable for spiralizing owing to its uneven form and seeds in the centre.
Don’t overcook the butternut squash noodles. Keep an eye on the noodles while they cook, since the texture can change quickly and get too soft. You want to achieve a fork-tender texture, in which it’s simple to twirl the noodles without them breaking apart on your fork.
Season while you cook; it will go a long way beyond seasoning. These butternut squash noodles can be flavourless on their own. Seasoning them before cooking improves the sweetness and nuttiness of this dish.
Can I freeze butternut squash noodles?
Yes, butternut squash noodles can be frozen. However, if you’re going to freeze them, I recommend doing so before cooking them. If frozen and thawed, squash retains a lot of water, which might lead to a mushy texture. Simply wrap the uncooked butternut squash noodles in freezer-safe packaging or a container for up to 3 months.
How to Make Savoury Butternut Squash Noodles
You can definitely follow the instructions above and make your own butternut squash noodles to use in this recipe.
In most cases, pre-packaged “convenience” foods are a big no-no when trying to maintain a healthy diet. However, this recipe features one time-saving convenience item that won’t have a negative impact on your health! You can now find pre-packaged butternut squash “noodles” in most larger grocery stores and they are absolutely perfect for those nights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.
Ingredients
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 4 c. butternut squash noodles
- 3 T. unsalted butter
- 1½ T. fresh sage, chopped
- 2 t. ground cinnamon
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add butternut squash noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently to ensure they cook evenly. When noodles are slightly softened, remove them from the pan and set them aside. Keep warm.
Add butter to pan and heat until melted. Stir in chopped sage and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Return butternut squash noodles to the pan and toss to coat in sage butter mixture. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately with your favourite entrée or as a light main course.
Recipe tips
Another variation of this recipe would involve using some garlic cloves, rosemary and lemon juice in place of the sage and cinnamon. This would make for a lighter, summery version ideal for the warmer months.
Or you would use some minced garlic cloves, thyme and Parmesan. Add some Panko breadcrumbs for a bit of texture and if the recipe feels a bit dry, use 1/4 cup of chicken or vegetable stock to make it more of a sauce.
You could use these noodles in a variety of dishes in place of something like ramen noodles for a spicy ramen recipe.
Savoury Butternut Squash Noodles
Make these simple and tasty noodles from butternut squash or use the recipe to add flavour to store bought ones
Ingredients
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 4 c. butternut squash noodles
- 3 T. unsalted butter
- 1½ T. fresh sage, chopped
- 2 t. ground cinnamon
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add butternut squash noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently to ensure they cook evenly. When noodles are slightly softened, remove them from the pan and set them aside. Keep warm.
Add butter to pan and heat until melted. Stir in chopped sage and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Return butternut squash noodles to the pan and toss to coat in sage butter mixture. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately with your favourite entrée or as a light main course.
Notes
You can use store bought noodles or make your own from fresh butternut squash for this recipe
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 224Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
