Zesty Orange Cream Pasta | Creamy Kabocha & Walnut Sauce Recipe

Looking for a vibrant, healthy, and flavorful pasta dish? This Zesty Orange Cream Pasta combines roasted carrots, walnuts, and kabocha squash for a rich, plant-based meal bursting with nutrients. It’s creamy, colorful, and delicious—perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!

Ingredients:

  • 1 roasted carrot
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (adds a cheesy flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, soaked for 6 hours (or overnight for a creamier texture)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth (adjust for desired sauce consistency)
  • 6 oz lentil pasta (or any pasta of choice, like whole wheat or gluten-free pasta)
  • 1 cup kabocha squash, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orange grape tomatoes, halved
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Roast the Carrot:
    • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Roast the carrot in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until tender. This will enhance its natural sweetness and give the sauce a rich flavor. Once roasted, set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Creamy Sauce:
    • In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted carrot, garlic clove, nutritional yeast, soaked walnuts, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper.
    • Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more broth if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  3. Cook the Pasta & Squash:
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentil pasta (or your choice of pasta) and cook according to the package instructions.
    • 5 minutes before the pasta is done, add the chopped kabocha squash to the boiling pasta. Cook together until the pasta is al dente and the squash is tender.
  4. Combine Everything:
    • Drain the pasta and squash, reserving a bit of the pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
    • Return the pasta and squash to the pot. Add the halved orange grape tomatoes and pour the creamy carrot-walnut sauce over the pasta.
    • Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
  5. Garnish and Serve:
    • Serve the pasta warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra pop of flavor.

This Zesty Orange Cream Pasta is a wholesome, vibrant dish with a delightful balance of flavors from the roasted carrot, creamy walnut sauce, and fresh tomatoes. Perfect for a plant-based meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying!