Pasta With Butternut Squash And Sage Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes

PASTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE (WEIGHT WATCHERS' FRIENDLY)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 12" skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until spotty brown, 15 - 20 minutes.
• Stir in the green onions, sage, mushrooms, nutmeg, 1/8 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper and cook until the green onions are softened, about 1 minute. Add the broth, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Cook pasta according to directions. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water.
• Add the squash mixture, parmesan and lemon juice to the pasta and toss to combine, adjusting the sauce consistency with the reserved cooking water if needed. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the almonds and serve.

BAKED PASTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Coat a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place squash on prepared baking sheet; roast until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Place in a large bowl and mash.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. After squash has been roasting for about 10 minutes, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pot.
• In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, flour, garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in mashed squash and 2 1/2 teaspoons of thyme. Add sauce to pasta; toss to mix and coat.
• Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish; dot with spoonfuls of ricotta and then sprinkle with Parmesan and walnuts. Bake until top is lightly browned in a few spots, about 15 to 20 minutes; remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon of thyme.

PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE

Steps:

• Dice the squash into half-inch cubes, and toss with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Heat the oven to 350°, and roast the squash until soft.
• Roasting time will vary from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the age of the squash.
• Remove from the oven and toss the squash with the chopped sage to infuse the flavor.
• Let cool.
• In a hot skillet, toast the breadcrumbs.
• (If desired, sauté a little garlic in oil until brown, then add the breadcrumbs and continue toasting.) In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the pasta.
• Cook until the pasta is al dente (meaning it has a bit of resistance when bitten into).
• Drain the pasta, then toss with the squash, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
• (If the pasta seems too dry, toss with a little chicken or vegetable stock, or a bit of the pasta water.) Garnish with fried sage leaves and Parmesan cheese shavings.

BAKED SPAGHETTI (WEIGHT WATCHERS FRIENDLY)

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
• In a large skillet, brown beef, onion, and garlic. Drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce and heat through.
• Meanwhile, combine cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella, and 1/4 cup parmesan.
• In a 9x13 casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, layer 1 cup of meat mixture, half the spaghetti, half the cheese, and half the remaining meat mixture. Repeat layers. Dish will be very full.
• Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover and add remaining cheeses. Bake an addition 10 minutes.
• Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.