Festive Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts

This holiday Butternut Squash Chestnut Pasta is a cozy, elegant dish that combines roasted squash, buttery chestnuts, and herbs in a simple yet luxurious sauce. It’s comforting, aromatic, and beautifully seasonal – the perfect festive pasta recipe to serve for Christmas dinner or any festive gathering.

Hello, folks – how are you doing? I hope you all had a great Halloween (and enjoyed a generous bunch of chocolate bars)!

Also, can you believe it is already November?

And you know that? I have made an important decision. After my Halloween recipes (Black Sesame Date Balls and Black Sesame Shortbread Cookies) I decided keep going with the holiday vibe. Because why not, right?!

Pasta for Christmas?

Have you ever wondered if you could serve pasta for your Christmas dinner? Absolutely! After all, Christmas is about family and your favourite food. And if pasta is one of them, why not enjoy it? Besides, seasonal ingredients like chestnuts, nutmeg, and aromatic herbs would make any pasta festive.

Certainly, it is also perfect for autumn, as squashes and chestnuts are seasonal ingredients.

Please be sure to check more pasta ideas:

• Chestnut Sausage Pasta
• Chestnut Prosciutto Pasta
• Veal Chestnut Pasta

So, let’s dive into this tasty holiday butternut squash chestnut pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Butternut Chestnut Pasta?

• Elegant enough for a holiday dinner yet easy enough for a weeknight.
• Combines sweet, savoury, and nutty flavours in perfect harmony.
• Highlights simple seasonal ingredients like squash, herbs, and chestnuts.
• Creamy and cozy, yet light and well-balanced.
• Easily adaptable with optional additions or variations.

Butternut Squash Chestnut Pasta: Flavour & Texture Profile

This Butternut Squash Chestnut Pasta has a beautiful balance of sweet, nutty, and savoury flavours. The squash adds caramelized sweetness, the chestnuts bring a smooth richness, and the garlic-herb butter ties everything together with warm, festive depth. The texture is creamy and comforting, yet light enough to enjoy as part of a holiday feast.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Roasted butternut squash: The foundation of this festive pasta. Roasting enhances its natural sweetness and adds a caramelized flavour. You won’t need all of it for the recipe, but extra roasted squash can be used in salads or soups
• Pasta of your choice: Short shapes like rigatoni or penne work beautifully for this hearty sauce, while tagliatelle or pappardelle make a more elegant presentation.
• Prosciutto and ham: The combination of salty prosciutto and mild, tender ham brings a savoury depth and texture contrast. You can omit them for a vegetarian version or replace with pancetta for more richness.
• Cooked chestnuts: They add a buttery, nutty creaminess that perfectly complements the squash. Use roasted, vacuum-packed, or canned chestnuts.
• Onion and garlic: A flavourful base that adds sweetness and aroma. Sauté gently to avoid bitterness.
• Fresh herbs: A mix of rosemary and sage gives this pasta its festive, aromatic character. Adjust to taste or add thyme for extra warmth.
• Nutmeg: A touch of nutmeg enhances the squash’s natural sweetness and adds cozy, seasonal undertones.
• Butter and olive oil: Together, they create a silky sauce with rich flavour. Butter adds creaminess, while olive oil balances it with a fruity note.
• Salt and black pepper: Season generously to bring all the flavours together.

I hope you like this Festive Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts, and you will give it a try.  If you make it, please let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!

Print

Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Festive Mains, Pasta and Gnocchi

Servings

2-4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Butternut Squash

25

minutes

This Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts with an addition of ham and prosciutto, is a delicious and hearty. And aromatics like rosemary, sage, and nutmeg makes it also festive!

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Ingredients

• Roasted Butternut Squash (you will not need all of it):

• 1 small-medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds scooped, and cubed

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• salt and black pepper, to taste

• Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts

• 250-300 gr. pasta of your choice

• 200-250 gr. cooked butternut squash

• 2-3 slices of prosciutto (50 g.), sliced

• 150 gr. cooked ham, cubed

• 100 gr. cooked chestnuts, crumbled

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary

• few large sage leaves, minced

• a good grating of nutmeg

• salt and pepper, to taste

• 1-2 tbsp. (15-30 ml.) olive oil

• 1 tbsp. (15 gr.) butter, optional or extra drizzle of olive oil

Directions

• Roasted Butternut Squash:
• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the squash cubes on the baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast about 22-25 minutes or until the squash is tender but still firm (keep in mind you will need to cook it when making pasta sauce for a few minutes.)
• You will need about 200 gr. of roasted squash. And you can reserve the leftovers for other recipes.
• Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts:
• Cook the pasta in the salted water, as per package’s instructions, until al dente.
• In a meantime, in a large pan heat the olive over low-medium heat and cook the onion and garlic, 5-7 minutes, until soft but not browned.
• Add the ham, prosciutto, chestnuts, rosemary, and sage. Cook for about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the butternut squash, cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. If desired, at a little knob of butter. (alternatively, pasta can be drizzled with extra olive oil when serving)
• Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain. Add the drained pasta into a pan and gently stir. Let it cook for a minute or so, adding the reserved pasta water, as needed. Try and season again, if necessary. Enjoy right away!