Cheesy Butternut Squash Orzo

Cheesy Butternut Squash Orzo is a warm, cheesy fall dish mixing orzo, roasted butternut squash and a creamy cheese sauce, then topped with fresh sage. As we approach the holidays, this would be a great side dish or an addition to your weeknight meals. You can make this a day or two ahead and heat it up when you are ready to serve!

The thing I love most about this recipe is how the sweet roasted butternut squash is paired with the savory, rich cheese, and the cream. Of course, the icing on top is the orzo.

For more flavorful side dishes that pair veggies with cheese, try my Chickpea Pasta with Feta or Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole.

Cheesy Butternut Squash Orzo

 As we approach the holidays, this would be a great side dish or an addition to your weeknight meals. You can make this a day or two ahead and heat it up when you are ready to serve!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 4 cups butternut squash cubed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup sweet onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 5 sage leaves chopped, divided
• 1 cup orzo
• 16 ounces of vegetable broth {or chicken broth}
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Parmesan cheese for garnish
• Sage for garnish

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Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss the butternut squash with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper.
2. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
3. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the squash is tender.
4. In a large pot boil the vegetable broth, add the orzo, cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes (or until the pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed), stirring occasionally.
5. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes
6. Add half of the sage leaves, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, mozzarella cheese, cream and Parmesan cheese and turn the heat to low.
7. Whisk until the sauce becomes thick.
8. Stir in the orzo and butternut squash.
9. Garnish with the other half of the fresh sage. Serve with extra mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• The allspice, cloves and cinnamon are optional to add extra flavor. It tastes great without those spices.