Butternut Squash Ravioli

Butternut Squash Ravioli are easy to make and delicious. The pasta pockets are filled with caramelised, creamy squash and tossed in a vegan brown butter sauce.

It's a great project for any cook! Making homemade pasta is a great way to feel accomplished. The filling, however, is what makes this dish so special: a combination of caramelised butternut squash with vegan cheese that somehow manages both to be rustic and make you think you are eating in a high-end establishment.

When I'm ready to serve these butternut squash raviolis, I add a brown butter sauce with extra sage, vegan Parmesan, and some extra sage. Each bite is the perfect combination of buttery, nutty sauce and earthy, sweet squash flavour. It's so good!

Why This butternut squash ravioli recipe is a winner

• Plant-based. This recipe is vegan. Most butternut squash ravioli in stores contain dairy, and often also eggs. Even the brown butter sauce is vegan!
• Homemade. It's easier than you might think to make ravioli! It's not difficult, but it takes some time. You'll be so proud when you sit down to eat your homemade butternut ravioli.
• This is a delicious. This dish is bursting with flavours, thanks to the roasted caramelised squash and the vegan brown butter.

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom of the recipe card for the ingredients quantities and the recipe instructions.

Filling:

• Butternut squash -- You can buy pre-cut squash in the supermarket or peel and cube it yourself.
• Olive Oil
• Garlic and onion powder -- These flavors add flavor without adding bulk.
• Herbs- Sage and thyme go well with winter squash.
• Vegan Cream Cheese Use homemade or store-bought vegan cream cheese.
• Vegan Parmesan - Again, you can use homemade vegan Parmesan or store-bought.

Pasta:

• Semolina Flour- Semolina is a high-protein flour that gives pasta dough its structure.
• Tipo00 flour This type of wheat flour is used to make pasta and gives it a silky texture. All-purpose flour can be substituted for tipo 00 if you cannot find it.
• salt
• Egg Substitute
• Olive Oil
• Water

Brown Butter Sauce

• Vegan Butter- My homemade vegan brown butter beautifully.
• Sage
• Pepper and salt- I prefer coarsely ground black powder.
• Vegan Parmesan- The store-bought version of vegan Parmesan melts while the homemade version doesn't.

What can I use instead of eggs in pasta dough?

If you can't locate Just Egg, there are other options. If you can't find Just Egg, you can also use Bob's Red Mill, Ener-G or aquafaba. You could even omit the eggs. You can find more information at Vegan Egg Substitutes.

Butternut Squash Ravioli - How to make them?

Filling:

• Prepare. Pre-heat your oven to 425degF. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
• Season. In large bowl, combine butternut squash, olive oil, onion and garlic powders, sage and thyme.
• Roast. Spread out the squash evenly on the pan, and bake it for 20 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender. Stir halfway through the cooking time.
• Puree. Transfer roasted butternut to a food processer and pulse until nearly smooth.
• Add cheese. Fold in the vegan cream cheese, Parmesan and butternut squash.

Pasta and Sauce

• Mix the dry ingredients. In large bowl, combine the flours and the salt.
• Mix the wet ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the olive oil and 1/4 cup water with the egg substitute.
• Prepare the dough. Create a well at the center of the flour mix. Pour the ingredients wet into the well. With a fork, gradually mix the flour with the wet ingredients.

• Knead. Transfer to a lightly-floured surface, and knead the dough for 8-10 minute, or until smooth and elastic. It should spring back when poked.
• Rest. Wrap dough in plastic and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Divide dough into two equal portions. Roll. Each portion should be rolled out with a rolling-pin or pasta maker, until it is translucent.
• Fill ravioli. Place a sheet on a lightly-floured surface. Place dollops of butternut filling 1 1/2 inches apart in a line starting about 1 inch away from the edge. Halfway through the sheet, stop. Fold the second half of the sheet to the opposite side and drape it over the filling. Then, press the top layer into the bottom to enclose the ravioli. Repeat the process with the rest of your dough and filling.
• Cut. Use the sharp knife to cut individual ravioli from the pasta sheets.

• Bring water to a boil. Use a large pot. Salt the water generously. Drop the ravioli in the boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Prepare the sauce. Melt the vegan butter in a large pan over medium heat while the butternut squash is cooking. Add the sage, and cook it for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Finish. Turn the heat of the sauce down to medium as the ravioli is finished cooking. With a slotted spatula, transfer the ravioli into the skillet and coat them with the brown butter. Serve with vegan Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Tips for Success

• If necessary, adjust the dough. Add more water, one tablespoon at a a time, if the dry ingredients do not come together.
• Avoid sticking. To prevent sticking, lightly flour your hands, workspace and tools. It will be easier to handle and shape the ravioli. You can add more flour if the dough feels too sticky while you are kneading it. If the dough feels dry, sprinkle some water on it.
• The consistency of the dough thickness is important for even cooking. The dough should be thick enough to hold its shape, but not so thick as to become chewy.
• Avoid air bubbles. Avoid trapping air in ravioli, as this can cause them to explode when they are boiled. When you are sealing your butternut ravioli, if any air pockets appear, gently poke them with a small toothpick. This will allow the air to escape.
• Do not overfill ravioli. Ravioli that are too full may rupture during cooking, or seal poorly.
• Seal well the edges. Press hard around the edge to seal but do not squeeze out the filling. Use a fork and crimp the edge for a more secure seal.
• Cook the raviolis in batches. To prevent overcrowding or sticking, cook them in batches. Allow them to float up to the surface without sticking together.

Variations

You have other options besides butternut squash ravioli in brown butter sauce. Tossing pasta with extra virgin olive oil, vegan Parmesan and toasted nuts is delicious. You can also make a sauce by mashing up roasted garlic and olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

This butternut squash ravioli is delicious with a side salad, vegan or regular sausage, roasted vegetables with balsamic vinegar, or maple Brussels sprouts and apples with pecans. It's also delicious with a side dish of roasted garlic toast!

How to store homemade Ravioli

Store butternut squash ravioli in an airtight container after they are formed but before they are boiled. Separate the layers using parchment paper to avoid sticking. Refrigerate up to three days. Then boil the ravioli and prepare the sauce according to the recipe.

Place leftovers in an airtight container, and store them for up to three days. Heat in the microwave, or on a medium-heat skillet.

Can I freeze this recipe?

If you want to store your butternut ravioli for longer, place it in a bag and freeze until solid. You can keep them there up to two months. You can reheat the ravioli by placing them directly in boiling water straight from the freezer. Cook until heated through.

Vegan Pasta Recipes

• Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
• Vegan Spaghetti with Meatballs
• One Pot Alfredo Penne Pasta
• Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
• Cheesy Baked Ziti (5 Ingredients)

Enjoy, friends! Please take a picture and tag #jessicainthekitchen if you make butternut squash ravioli! Please leave a comment and rate the recipe! Thank you!

The post Butternut Squash Ravioli first appeared on Jessica in the Kitchen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you replace meat in a plant-based diet?

Replacing meat in a plant-based diet can be done through inventive vegan substitutes. Tofu, seitan (wheat flour), tempeh(fermented soybeans), mock duck made with mushrooms can be substituted for meats. Vegetarian burgers made from black beans and quinoa can also be as good as beef burgers. Coconut bacon strips, eggplant bacon bits, tofu mayo and veggie hot dog made with seasoned text soy protein are other tasty options that don't require animal products. Recipes can be altered to include fruits and vegetables as well. You can also enjoy plant-based dishes by using other cooking methods such as steaming, roasting and grilling without losing their savoriness.

What happens if I stop eating meat?

Your body will undergo many changes when you stop eating meat. Your diet will likely be richer in fiber and less saturated fat as you move from animal-based protein to plant-based proteins like legumes, beans and whole grains. This could improve heart health as well as your digestive health. Additionally, you may see an increased energy level due to more efficient digestion and the elimination of inflammatory foods like animal proteins. You may even find that moods become more stable by reducing stress hormones already triggered by unsustainable levels of stress associated with consuming some animal proteins. Switching to a plant based diet is a popular way to fight environmental damage caused factory farming.

Can you build muscles on a plant-based food?

Yes, it is possible to build muscle on a plant-based diet. It is possible to build muscle on a vegetarian diet. However, the type of foods one consumes plays the biggest role in muscle strength and size. Plant-based diets can include legumes (beans/lunch/peas), doves/sintan, nuts, nutritional yeast and tofu. A plant-based diet that is balanced can help you achieve your fitness and overall health goals. Avoid processed foods, which are often high in unhealthy additives and preservatives. Getting adequate amounts of protein daily is essential for consistent gains, so incorporate foods like quinoa, flaxseed oil, nut butter, etc., into your daily meal plan. It doesn't matter if you are looking to increase muscle mass or improve your overall health, meeting with a nutritionist who is trained in plant-based nutrition may be beneficial.

Can I eat a diet that is plant-based and still eat eggs?

On a plant-based lifestyle, eggs are not permitted. This dietary lifestyle eliminates all animal products, including meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. There are many vegan options for traditional egg-centric dishes that have the same flavor and texture as eggs, but they don't rely on animal products. Tofu scrambles and omelets are great breakfast options that have the same appearance and texture as eggs. They also provide plant-based protein. Chickpea flour and mashed banana can be used to replace eggs in baked goods. Aquafaba, which is the liquid in chickpea cans, can also be used as an alternative to eggs when making meringues and other desserts. Flaxseed meal and chia seeds can be used to replace one large egg in non-vegan recipes without compromising taste.

Is a plant based diet the same thing as a vegan?

A plant-based diet does not mean you have to eat vegan. A plant-based diet is an eating plan that focuses on mainly consuming fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains. This eating pattern generally reduces or eliminates animal products like meat and dairy. However, some animal proteins may still be consumed. Veganism is an ethical lifestyle that emphasizes a plant-based diet. It also avoids cosmetics and clothing made from animal products. Although vegans may also choose to adopt a plant based diet as part their lifestyle, they are separate concepts.

What can a plant-based diet do for your health?

A plant-based diet has many health benefits. A lower chance of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and stroke if you eat more plant-based foods than animal products. Plant-based diets contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds that can help protect against inflammation and oxidative damage. Because of the abundance of dietary fibre, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes has been proven to be beneficial. It feeds gut bacteria, maintains digestive health, and is a great way to get enough. Low levels of saturated fats are a common feature of plant-based meals plans, which can help increase cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that eating a plant-based diet may help to reduce anxiety and depression. You can promote long-term satiety by eating a mix of plant-based foods and healthy fats, such as avocados or nuts.

Can a plant-based diet be harmful?

While many people have experienced health benefits from adopting a plant-based diet, any type of diet can be harmful if not managed correctly or with the assistance of a medical professional. People who are transitioning to a plant based diet should be careful about their vitamin and mineral intake. Inadequate nutrition can lead to nutritional deficiencies and adverse health effects. Additionally, following a purely vegan/plant-based lifestyle could mean cutting out valuable sources of protein found in dairy and eggs, which may hinder muscle maintenance. People who follow a plant-based diet must adapt their diets to meet their nutritional needs.

Statistics

• In the United States, poor-quality diet is the most significant predictor of early death, according to an article published in the May 2017 Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. (everydayhealth.com)
• Another found that following a diet rich in plant foods and lower in animal foods was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31 to 32 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

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• Weight Loss


• Plant-Based Diets and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

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• ScienceDirect: Plant-Based Diets to Improve Personal, Population and Planetary Health

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• PubMed: Type 2 diabetes: How beta-cell function is affected over time - Long-term Model


• A Plant-Based Dietary Intervention Improves Beta-Cell Function & Insulin Resistance in Adults Overweight: A 16-Week Randomized Clinical Test - PubMed

[TAG30]

• How common is vitamin B-12 shortage?

How To

How can I incorporate more whole food into a plant-based lifestyle?

It is important to make an effort to eat more whole foods in a plant-based diet for optimal health. This will help increase your intake of vitamins and nutrients, as well as dietary fiber. Start by replacing unhealthy processed items and animal proteins with nutrient-rich alternatives such as legumes and seeds. You can get sustenance from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Also, focus on including a diversity of colors in each meal! Colorful ingredients contain powerful antioxidants that boost immunity - think red pepper strips, oranges, black beans, spinach, and corn muffins! Make meal plans that take advantage of seasonal produce. Use recipes that are both delicious and healthy to satisfy everyone's taste buds.

Whole foods have a much longer shelf life than processed ones, which can be advantageous. Plan your week in advance to ensure you can shop with confidence for vegan-friendly ingredients.

Finally, explore different pathways to create a lasting balanced lifestyle: making delicious vegan baked goods to substituting preferred ingredients like tofu for fish. Experimentation is the key to managing your food choices without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Resources:

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