Miso Butternut Squash Carbonara Pasta

If you’re a fan of comforting pasta dishes but looking for a plant-based twist, this vegan carbonara with a miso butternut squash puree is the perfect recipe for you. It’s creamy, rich, and bursting with umami flavours, has a silky texture and is entirely dairy-free making it an ideal meal for cozy nights. The miso complements the sweetness of the butternut squash, adding a rich, almost cheesy flavour that makes the sauce taste just a little more indulgent. Plus, it brings in that cozy fall feeling with roasted butternut squash.

The Heart of the Dish: Butternut Squash & Miso

Butternut squash offers a natural sweetness and smooth texture that is perfect for creating a creamy sauce without dairy. Paired with miso paste, which brings a punch of umami and depth, the combination transforms this dish into a luxurious treat. It also works harmoniously to compliment the rich, velvety and indulgent smoky-peppery carbonara sauce. But the delight doesn’t stop there! The squash’s bright orange colour is just a bonus, giving a beautiful, appetizing look. When spread on a plate, it adds the perfect vibrant pop of colour while being a deliciously creamy base for the carbonara sauce.

The Perfect Carbonara Pasta

A classic carbonara pasta is known for its creamy, savoury, and slightly smoky flavour profile. What is amazing is that you can still have all those delicious aspects you know and love but in a plant-based version! Whether you decide to make your own, follow a recipe like this one, or use a pre-made sauce, you’re in for a comforting treat.

Nona Vegan Carbonara Sauces

There are lots of plant-based recipes for carbonara out there but sometimes, you’re in a pinch, and that is why I’m grateful for Nona Vegan sauces. They are available both in the US and Canada. This Carbonara Style pre-made sauce is cashew-based, ensuring that your pasta dish will be exceedingly creamy and velvety in texture. These sauces are also made with tasty, savoury plant-based bacon to bring that smoky element to your carbonara pasta.

This sauce is so delicious you’ll practically want to put it on everything. Pour it over your veggies, on your pasta or use it as a warm dip. Either way, this flavourful sauce will be a comforting delight. For this dish, I used the sauce the traditional way and poured the rich velvety creaminess all over some el dente pasta noodles.

One of many pasta-bilities: Protein Pasta

The perfect pasta noodles for a carbonara really boils down to your personal preference (pun intended). You’ll typically see carbonara pasta made with a long noodle like spaghetti. I decided that I wanted to use pasta with protein so I used GoGoQuinoas Protein Penne. It made it for a yummy pasta that left me full and feeling nourishing after devouring this yummy dish.

But choose your own pasta adventure. Whichever noodles you pick, they will still be a tasty vehicle for your savoury Carbonara sauce.

The Process of Making a Miso Butternut Squash Carbonara

Preheat oven to 400F.

Step 1: Prep your butternut squash. Peel and cut the squash into cubes. I also cut a few slices to be used as a pasta topping. Place in an oven-safe dish or on a sheet. Add four cloves of garlic. Drizzle olive oil over the veggies and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir and place in the oven for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Step 2: Saute mushrooms. Heat a small pan and add a small amount of oil. Saute the mushrooms until golden brown, adding little pieces of sage halfway.

Step 3: Cook Noodles. Cook noodles according to package instructions or until el dente. While the noodles are cooking, move to step 4.

Step 4: Make butternut squash puree. Add butter, garlic, maple syrup, miso paste, and freshly grated ginger to a blender and pulse until a smooth paste is formed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Optional: Leave a few pieces out to use as a topping.

Step 5: Heat your carbonara sauce. Heat a large saucepan on medium heat and warm the sauce. Once heated, add drained noodles and stir to combine.

Step 6. Bring it all together. Add the butternut squash puree to a pasta bowl or plate, followed by a serving of pasta.

Topping your Miso Butternut Squash Carbonara

Mushrooms: By adding more mushrooms on top of your carbonara, you tie in the other delicious umami flavour found in the miso butternut quash. Mushrooms are also a fantastic match for the smoky notes found in a carbonara sauce.

Sage: Lightly fry up pieces of the fresh page in a pan to add an earthy and peppery flavour that enhances the already beautifully peppery notes in a carbonara. It works particularly well with heavier and rich dishes that are full of flavour.

Butternut Squash: Reserve a few slices or chunks of your butternut squash and roast them. Place them in the bowl, around your carbonara pasta for an extra delightful texture addition.

Finishing Touches & Variations

To round off this vegan carbonara, sprinkle with other fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a burst of colour and freshness. If you’re anything like me, you might want an extra grind of black pepper before serving, or a dash of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. I also like to add some crispy onions for a little extra crunch with each bite.

And, of course, this dish is incredibly versatile. You could swap the butternut squash for roasted pumpkin or sweet potato, or even experiment with white miso for a slightly sweeter and milder flavour. The beauty of plant-based cooking is the freedom to explore and customize, creating dishes that feel comforting yet creative.

Why You’ll Love It

This miso butternut squash carbonara is everything you want in a cozy pasta dish – creamy, comforting, and just the right amount of indulgence. It’s rich, velvety, smokey, and the perfect mix of sweet and savoury. It’s a delicious plant-based twist on a classic, perfect for cozy nights in, and it’ll leave you feeling nourished and satisfied without any dairy or eggs.

Looking for more cozy and delicious pasta recipes? Click here!

I hope you give this Miso Butternut Squash Carbonara a try! This dish is full of flavour and is the perfect cozy dish to warm you up. If you make it, please leave a comment below (it helps others to find the recipe). As always, please feel free to share your creations with me! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest so that I can see your yummy dishes.

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