Butternut Squash Pasta with Dairy-Free Sage Cream Sauce

Simmered with comforting sage, this ‘buttery’ sauce for Allergic Living’s Butternut Squash Pasta is dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free. It pairs brilliantly with the earthy flavors of squash.

This dish is perfect for those who love a savory cream sauce, but cannot consume dairy.

Makes: 6 servings
Free of: gluten and all top allergens

Ingredients for Butternut Squash Pasta

  • 1 1/2 lbs (680 g) butternut squash, cut into 3/4-inch cubes*
  • 1 1/2 tbsp grapeseed or olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp + 3/4 tsp salt, divided
  • 3/4 lb (340 g) gluten-free pasta
  • 1/4 cup dairy-free, soy-free margarine
  • 20 sage leaves, thinly sliced + extra
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 cup full-fat, canned coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup warm water + 1/2 cup cold water, divided
  • 4 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 3-4 cups diced cooked chicken* (see note below) or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas.

Recipe Tips

Look for precut squash in the produce section. If short on time, squash cubes can be steamed 10 minutes, or until tender, rather than roasted.

For freshly cooked chicken, cut 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts into 3/4-inch pieces. Place in a medium bowl, sprinkle with 4 teaspoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to evenly coat. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.

Instructions for Butternut Squash Pasta

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Place squash on a baking sheet drizzle with oil and sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Spread pieces to avoid touching. Roast 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  3. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
  4. Melt margarine in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. While simmering, add sage and garlic and saute 2 minutes. Whisk in coconut milk, 1/2 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup cold water, starch and nutritional yeast. Whisk into skillet until fully incorporated. When sauce begins to bubble, whisk continuously while cooking for 3 minutes, or until thickened but still pourable. Stir in lemon juice and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste.
  6. Plate pasta, top with squash and cooked chicken or chickpeas. Now drizzle with sauce. Serve with garnish of fresh sage.

is a contributing editor to Allergic Living magazine and the author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein Free Living, and founder of http://www.godairyfree.com