Description
Creamy, comforting, and deeply flavorful, this Butternut Squash & Sage Orzo is an easy dinner recipe perfect for fall nights. It’s a healthy vegetarian dinner idea that balances sweet butternut squash with aromatic sage and nutty parmesan. Quick enough for weeknights and elegant enough for guests, it’s one of my favorite cozy food ideas that works as both a main or a side.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
10 fresh sage leaves
2 small shallots, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups diced butternut squash (small cubes)
1 cup orzo pasta
3 cups vegetable broth, warm
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add sage leaves. Let them crisp for 1–2 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Add olive oil to the same pan and sauté chopped shallots and garlic until soft, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Stir in the diced butternut squash, season with salt and pepper, and cook until it starts to brown and soften, around 8–10 minutes.
4. Add the orzo and stir to coat. Let it toast for a minute before gradually adding warm broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally.
5. Continue cooking until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 12–15 minutes. The squash should break down and become creamy.
6. Stir in the grated parmesan and half of the crisped sage. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot, topped with the remaining sage and more parmesan if desired.
Notes
Dice the squash into small cubes so it cooks faster and blends into the orzo.
If the orzo thickens too much while sitting, just stir in a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Don’t skip crisping the sage—it gives the dish an aromatic crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: butternut squash orzo, easy dinner recipe, vegetarian pasta, fall recipes, healthy comfort food