'Nduja Pasta with Butternut Squash and Rosemary Fried Walnuts

A white bowl with a blue rim filled with orecchiette pasta, cubed squash, rosemary and walnuts.

5 from 1 vote

'Nduja Pasta with Butternut Squash and Rosemary Fried Walnuts

Spicy, saucy and oh so flavorful! This sumptuous, autumn pasta is brimming with savory roasted butternut squash, 'nduja sausage and crispy crumbles of fried rosemary and walnuts. You just know this ones going to be a big hit from the moment you start cooking!

Prep Time45

Cook Time30

Course: Main Course, pasta

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 1019kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

Ingredients

Pasta

2 heaping cups peeled and diced butternut squash about 1/2 a large butternut squash
2 tbsp olive oil
2 medium shallots thinly sliced
4 oz 'Nduja about 1/2 a cup
1 lb short-cut pasta orecchiette, penne, rigatoni etc
1/2 c heavy cream
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c grated pecorino or parmesan cheese for serving

Rosemary Fried Walnuts

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/3 cup olive oil
zest from 1/2 a lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the squash cubes on a baking tray and toss with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes or until soft and golden brown around the edges.
Fry the Walnuts: While the squash is roasting, pour the olive oil, rosemary sprigs and walnuts into a large sauté pan and place over medium heat. Season generously with salt and pepper–cook, stirring often, until fragrant and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the walnuts and rosemary to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve the sauté pan and excess olive oil to cook the rest of the sauce in later. While the walnuts are still warm, grate the zest from 1/2 a lemon over top. Toss to coat. Once cool enough to handle, pluck out the rosemary stems, leaving behind just the crispy fried leaves.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, add the sliced shallots into the pan that was just used to fry the walnuts and rosemary. Cook until soft and fragrant, stirring often, about 5-7 minutes. Next, turn down the heat to medium-low and add in the 'nduja and roasted butternut squash. Use the back of a wooden spoon to break up the 'nduja. Cook the squash and 'nduja together for 3-5 minutes then add in the cooked pasta, 1/2 cup pasta water and the heavy cream.
Bring the pasta and sauce to a simmer, tossing everything together until evenly coated. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen up the sauce. Turn off the heat and pour in the lemon juice. Taste and season with salt as needed.
Divide the pasta between bowls, top with grated cheese and a generous sprinkle of fried walnuts and rosemary.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Butternut Squash: Any hearty winter squash will work with this recipe; acorn, delicata, pumpkin, kabocha etc.
Short-Cut Pasta: Short cut pasta like; penne, rigatoni, farfalle, orecchiette, etc, are made to capture hearty ragùs and chunky vegetable sauces in their sturdy hollows and ridges, giving satisfying bursts of flavor as you eat. You can use any short-cut pasta shape you like for this recipe.
'Nduja: ‘Nduja is a soft, spreadable fermented pork sausage from Italy. It’s seasoned with Calabrian chilies and smoked paprika. You can find 'Nduja online or in specialty Italian markets. If you aren't able to track any down you can substitute a finely chopped Spanish Chorizo, Mexican Chorizo or something like Merguez.

Storing and Re-heating Leftovers:

Leftover pasta can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave. Add a few tablespoons of water to loosen up the sauce as needed.

Nutrition