I’m a notoriously bad gardener. In fact, many in my family will tell you that I have a black thumb. House plants come here to die I think. But I’m not going to be deterred… I’m planning to succeed in a garden this year. If for no other reason than to have unlimited supplies of butternut squash. Why? Because this recipe has been a winner… all. winter. long. With everyone. And while butternut squash is harder to come by in the produce department, it’s still available in frozen form, so I plan to keep making this as long as the boys keep gobbling it down.
Butternut Squash & Orzo
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small butternut squash (approximately 1.5 pounds)… peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes.
(I buy the peeled and seeded option if possible as it saves time.)
1 onion, diced
salt & pepper
1 package orzo
3 cups low sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth works as well)
6 ounces spinach
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon butter
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven (or an oven safe pot) over medium-high heat. Add the squash, onion, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring often, for about 5-6 minutes.
2. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven.
3. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in the orzo, return to oven, and bake for another 9-10 minutes.
5. When orzo is cooked, remove from oven. Stir in spinach, parmesan, and butter. If you so choose, top servings with some more parmesan and black pepper. (My oldest also likes some crushed pepper flakes on top.)
{Recipe adapted from this Real Simple version}
Do you have a favorite butternut squash recipe? I think I need to branch out!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Looks delicious! I need some squash!
cantaloupe / 6730 posts
That does sound good.
I love butternut squash, but it takes over the whole garden, so it may not happen. Luckily, they always have some in the store.
honeydew / 7091 posts
Yum!! Butternut squash is one of my favorite veggies to grow! They’re surprisingly easy to take care of.
honeydew / 7091 posts
@Grace: Hah, yes, you definitely need a lot of room to grow squash!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Mmmm, I love butternut squash and pasta. Can’t wait to try this!
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
@Grace: Luckily, I have room… but I did see that in my initial research! @swurlygurl: Easy to take care of? I might actually succeed then!
@bluestriped bee: Me too! It’s become a joke with my husband whenever he sees it on a menu while traveling.
grapefruit / 4085 posts
Mmm, that sounds so good – will have to give it a try!
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
This looks fabulous!!
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I love butternut squash! Last week I made an Israeli couscous salad with roasted butternut squash, spinach and feta, and I have a great recipe for enchiladas with a butternut squash sauce (it actually calls for pumpkin but I regularly sub in either sweet potato or butternut squash).
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
@lovehoneybee: Enchiladas with butternut squash sauce?!? What do I need to do to get you to wall that to me!? PLEASE?! The couscous one also sounds delicious… but Mexican is my kiddo’s fave!
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Yummy!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
This looks yummy. I love butternut squash mac & cheese, so this may be a good branching out from that.
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
Yum!!! Must try! I hate summer squash, but love winter squash…i’ll have to try this!