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Easy Butternut Squash Capellini – Creamy, Comforting & Vegan-Friendly

Creamy, comforting, and totally plant-based — this easy butternut squash capellini recipe features silky roasted squash, sautéed leeks, and a cheesy nutritional yeast sauce. A quick 30-minute vegan butternut squash pasta perfect for fall!
3.43 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course, pasta
Cuisine American, Garden
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta:

  • 8 oz 225 g capellini (angel hair pasta)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt to taste

For the Sauce:

  • 2 cups diced butternut squash about 1 small squash, peeled and seeded
  • 1 medium leek cleaned and sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • ¾ cup unsweetened plant milk almond, soy, or oat milk
  • 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch nutmeg optional, for warmth
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water as needed for thinning the sauce

Optional Garnishes:

  • Extra nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan
  • Fresh sage or parsley
  • Cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook the Capellini

  • Boil salted water and cook the capellini (angel hair pasta) until al dente, about 2–3 minutes. Drain, reserving some pasta water for later. Set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Leeks and Butternut Squash

  • In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add sliced leeks and diced butternut squash. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Sauté until leeks turn golden and squash is tender and lightly caramelized.

Step 3: Blend Half the Butternut Squash

  • Transfer half of the cooked squash to a blender. Add plant milk and nutritional yeast, blending until silky smooth. You’ll get a creamy, vibrant sauce that forms the base of your vegan butternut squash pasta.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

  • Pour the blended sauce back into the pan with the remaining leeks and squash. Add the cooked capellini and toss gently to coat, adding a splash of pasta water until the sauce clings to every strand.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

  • Serve warm, topped with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, or cracked pepper. Every bite will be creamy, savory, and satisfyingly rich.
Keyword Angel hair pasta, butternut squash, capellini