These stuffed pasta shells with butternut squash sauce are filled with red onion, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, red pepper and black beans for protein and fiber.
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The butternut sauce is a delicious addition to keep the pasta moist and to add additional nutrition. Butternut squash is a starchy vegetable that does contain more carbohydrates than other vegetables but it is low in calories and loaded with important nutrients! It’s also rich in carotenoids, plant pigments that give butternut squash its beautiful orange colour. See the extra Nutritional Info Links at the bottom of this post.
How to prepare Stuffed Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce
First make the vegetable, bean stuffing by sautéing the red onion and garlic.
Then add the other vegetables and tomato paste and cook until soft, stirring constantly. Add a little water as necessary to keep the stuffing loose as the pasta will absorb some of the liquid when baking. Add the Black beans at the very end to heat through.
Next prepare the Butternut Squash sauce by again sautéing another red onion and garlic in a little olive oil. Peel the Butternut Squash and coarsely chop.
Add the Butternut Squash and cook for a few minutes. Add Vegetable stock and cook for around 20 minutes until soft. Blend in a blender until smooth.
Place the Conchiglione pasta shells into a pan of boiled water and leave for 10 minutes to soften. The pasta needs to only partially cook as they will need some firmness to allow filling with the vegetable stuffing.
All that needs to be done now is to place the Butternut sauce generously into your serving dish, stuff the Conchiglione pasta shells with the vegetable/bean filling and place into the Butternut Squash sauce. Grate some Parmesan over or cheese of your choice. Bake for 20 minutes covered, then remove the cover and bake for around another 10 minutes.
Can I make Stuffed Pasta Shells with Butternut Squash Sauce in Advance?
Yes. I usually make the sauce and filling in advance, up to 2 days then it's a simple job to just prepare the pasta, fill them and bake. Assembly takes minutes and the result is an easy, healthy, filling meal.
Another great hearty and filling meal to try is this chili with salsa made in the crockpot!
Does this Dish Freeze well?
Yes. You can freeze the completed dish, covered for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on a low heat for 15 minutes or until heated through.
If you like Butternut Squash:
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Quinoa Vegetable Stuffing
- Butternut Squash Ginger Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Nutritional Info Links:
Stuffed Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce
Ingredients
For the Stuffing
- 1 cup Black beans
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 large vine tomatoes, diced
- 2 large zucchini, diced
- 1 large red pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 large red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
For the Butternut Squash Sauce
- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds Butternut Squash, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 2 ½ cups vegetable stock
- 25 Conchiglione pasta shells
Instructions
To Make the Filling
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the red onion for a couple of minutes before adding the 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for another minute to soften the garlic.
- Add the red pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes to soften, then add the zucchini, tomatoes and tomato puree.
- Cook for 5 minutes, allowing to simmer, covered for around 20 minutes. Check occasionally and stir, making sure the mixture does not catch or burn. The mixture should be a little wetter than usual as the Conchiglione pasta shells will absorb liquid as it bakes. Add a little water if needed. Season to taste.
- Stir in the Black beans to heat through.
- Place the Conchiglione pasta shells in a pan filled with boiled water and leave covered for 10 minutes to soften. Drain and set aside.
- Time to preheat your oven to 350°F.
To Make the Butternut Squash
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan, add the red onion and sauté for a couple of minutes before adding the minced garlic clove. Cook for another minute to soften the garlic.
- Add the Butternut Squash and cook, stiring frequently for 5 minutes.
- Add the Vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for around 20 minutes or until the Butternut Squash is softened.
- Blend until smooth, season to taste.
- Pour the Butternut Squash sauce into a suitably sized ovenproof dish.
- Fill the Conchiglione pasta shells with the Vegetable bean stuffing and place each completed shell carefully into the Butternut Squash sauce with the filled side on top.
- Sprinkle generously with Parmesan or cheese of your choice. Cheddar works well.
- Bake for around 20 minutes covered with foil. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Recipe Notes
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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Jessica
What a beautiful recipe! Looks great for the whole family!
Erin
I haven't made stuffed shells in ages! Love your butternut squash sauce idea!
Joni Gomes
Such a great comfort food! Love the additon of butternut squash so much!
Hope Pearce
This looks so comforting and hearty! I have pinned to try with GF pasta when the weather gets a bit colder here 🙂
ND
We use gluten-free pasta too at times, depending on who we are cooking for.
Stacey Crawford
I love stuffed shells, and that butternut squash sauce looks so creamy and amazing! Can't wait to try it!
ND
Do try it, so delicious Stacey!
Heather H
Stuffed shells are a favorite around here! This version is one that I haven't had and I look forward to adding it to our meal plan.
ND
A firm favourite here too Heather!
Raia Todd
This looks so delicious! It totally sounds like comfort food. 🙂
ND
Total comfort food!
ChihYu
So hearty and comforting! All of the textures and flavors are so good!
ND
Thanks!
Don Baiocchi
Looks so hearty and cozy!
ND
Very comforting food!
Kelly
This pasta dish has so many delicious ingredients! Perfect for a cold winter night; so satisfying!
ND
Really is a warming dish!
Zuzana
this looks perfect