Monday, November 3, 2008

Cooking Light Night-Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta



CB came up with the beautiful logo at the beginning of this post. She started a Cooking Light Night, and I thought it was a great idea. Since I use Cooking Light all the time, I decided I would start calling some of these posts, Cooking Light Night. This is a wonderful dish that I showed my sister a couple of years ago. I wasn't sure of my love of winter squash at that point, but now that I know, watch out! I have been buying squash of all kinds and this was a very delicious dish. The only thing I changed was that I used turkey bacon, because I always do. I usually use whole wheat pasta in all my pasta dishes, but I used mini penne in this one because that is what it called for and I figured there was enough good stuff in this dish for it to be okay. This was the first time I have made a roux with absolutely no fat at all and I was a little skeptical about how it would turn out, but it was delicious with the cheese melted in.
This dish also used cooking spray to roast the squash and it turned out beautifully. I love the color of it. The provolone, bacon, squash, and rosemary, all really played off each other in this dish. It was a definite favorite for me. (Could I use the phrase "this dish" a few more times?)
Try this one- it is GOOD!




Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta from Cooking Light March 2004
Mini penne pasta works well in this dish since it's about the same size as the squash. You can also use elbow macaroni, shell pasta, or orecchiette.
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash
Cooking spray
6 slices turkey bacon, raw
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
8 ounces uncooked mini penne (tube-shaped pasta)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded sharp provolone cheese
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 425°.
Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, rosemary, and pepper. Place squash on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt mixture. Bake at 425° for 45 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Increase oven temperature to 450°.
Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings in pan; crumble bacon. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shallots to pan; sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Combine squash mixture, bacon, and shallots; set aside.
Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.
Combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add provolone, stirring until cheese melts. Add pasta to cheese mixture, tossing well to combine. Spoon pasta mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray; top with squash mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown.
Up Next- Tuesday's with Dorie- Rugelach!

18 comments:

Prudy said...

Yowza! It looks fantastic. I have a huge butternut squash in my fridge at home that I left, and if I'm lucky it'll be there waiting for me to make this dish when I get home.

amycaseycooks said...

I love butternut squash any way it is made. I'll be adding your recipe to my files - you can't go wrong by adding a little bacon.

Cathy said...

Oh Mary Ann, I am ALL OVER this dish -- this dish looks truly fabulous; I mean, I've seen a ton of really yummy looking butternut squash dishes over the past few weeks, but none of those dishes that can compare to this dish. I am going to use the butternut squash on my counter to make this dish. In fact, I am going to go run down the ingredient list again right now -- there is actually a strong possibility that I will make this dish tonight (there, I thought I'd use "this dish" a few more times for you -- you made me laugh!) This looks WONDERFUL!!

Mary Ann said...

Prudy- depends on who can get into your house! If I had a key, the butternut squash would be a goner! jk

Amy-Thanks for stopping by! The bacon was just the right touch in "this dish".

Cathy- I did that for you (up there). Thanks for playing along with me. You will love this, it came together fast and was super delicious!

Maria said...

Roasted squash is my favorite! I am sure it is divine with pasta!

Anonymous said...

Yum! This looks great with the bacon.

Emily said...

Oh Yum! I am loving cooking with butternut squash this season! Lot os great recipes like this one! Bacon! Makes the hubby happy!

priscilla joy said...

this looks yummy!! cooked squash is delicious!

Aggie said...

This looks great Mary Ann! I would love it. I have to look into this Cooking Light night! I love me some Cooking Light!

I thought of you on Saturday, it must have been a hard game to watch on your end...is your hubby over it yet?

CB said...

I am afraid to admit this to you but... I don't think I've ever eaten butternut squash before! Can you believe it? I am gonna have to add this to my ever growing CL must-cook list now!
/Clara

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm still in love with the pie from yesterday....

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

This pasta looks awesome.

La Bella Cooks said...

I love the gorgeous color of the butternut squash cubes. It has become one of my favorites lately after not having much of it over the years. I can imagine it lent a perfect flavor along with the salty bacon. Very impressive meal!

Jenny said...

Pretty Pretty pasta! I'd love an extra large plate of this at this very moment! It looks great!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Oh, this looks divine, and fits right in with my minor bacon obsession. I've enjoyed the Cooking Light Nights also - such great tasting recipes!
Nancy

Azure said...

I made this last night. Yummy! I am looking forward to leftovers for lunch.

Pamela said...

"This dish" certainly looks fantastic to me! Here's another one I want to try for sure.

Hannah said...

I think you are my husband's new favorite person!! I made this last night and he was in heaven!

Thanks for the recipe. It is divine!!