Winter Squash Carbonara with Broccoli Rabe
Everyone’s favorite pasta gets made even better with the addition of roasted butternut squash and broccoli rabe.
Recipe by Tieghan Girard
Tieghan is the author of Half Baked Harvest, and the winner of the 2014 and 2016 Better Homes & Gardens Reader’s Choice Award for Favorite Food Blog. It was also the recipient of Saveur Magazine’s 2016 Award for Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners as well as the 2016 Bloglovin’ Best Food Blog Award. Her first book, The Half Baked Harvest Cookbook, published by Clarkson Potter, launched September 12, 2017. Tieghan is also a regular contributor at the Huffington Post and Buzzfeed.
Ingredients
- 4 Cups cubed butternut squash or pumpkin
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- ¼ Tsp. nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 Large bunch broccoli rabe, ends trimmed
- 1 Bunch fresh sage
- 1 Lb. long cut pasta such as bucatini or spaghetti (use gluten free if needed)
- 4 Oz. pancetta or bacon, diced (omit if vegetarian)
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ Cup fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF
2. Spread the squash out in a single layer on one or two baking sheets. Drizzle with olive oil, nutmeg salt and pepper, toss well to coat. Roast until the squash are tender, about 20 minutes. To the pan(s), add the broccoli rabe and sage leave. Drizzle with a 1 tablespoon olive and a pinch of salt + pepper. Toss well to combine with the squash. Place back in the oven and roast for 10 more minutes or until the broccoli rabe is tender crisp and the sage leaves are crispy. Remove from the oven.
3. Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al dente. Before you drain the pasta scoop out about ½ cup pasta water, drain the pasta well.
4. While the pasta is boiling, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and once hot add the pancetta. Let the pancetta get nice and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Now toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute to soften. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and give it a good toss, cook for about 2 minutes.
5. Beat together the eggs and parmesan in a glass measuring cup. Remove the pasta from the heat and pour the egg/cheese mixture into the pasta, tossing quickly (to ensure the eggs do not scramble) until the eggs thicken and create a sauce. Thin the sauce with a bit of the reserved pasta water, until it reaches your desired consistency. Add the squash, broccoli rabe, and sage and gently toss to combine with the pasta.
6. Season the carbonara with plenty of freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.
7. Divide the pasta among plates and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and parsley. Grab a fork and start twirling!
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