Butternut Squash Noodles (Garlic Spaghetti) - Little Pine Kitchen (2024)

Ribbons of butternut squash, butter, garlic, and parmesan combine for a faux pasta dish that’s all flavor and perfect for fall. Beautiful and buttery, these savory butternut squash noodles will have you fighting over the leftovers.

I love a good veggie noodle swap—try these shirataki noodles, zucchini noodles, or kohlrabi noodles for more alternatives.

Nuts for Noodles

I love pasta! I just don’t love how pasta makes me feel. So I’ve gotten pretty creative in the kitchen because I still crave pasta all the time. These butternut squash noodles are seriously so good that my husband and I fought over who got the last leftovers.

I claimed the last bites with an extra heavy sprinkle of red pepper flakes—which I loved but was enough heat to keep my husband at bay. This will be in heavy dinner rotation for us this fall. And now we know to make extra.

I’ve got all the tips to turn a big ole butternut squash into a pile of noodles with the greatest of ease. I think it’s fun—just be careful. This yummy sauce will also work on any pre-made veggie noodles you find.A cheesy bowl of tender noodles—you’ll have everyone begging for butternut. Enjoy! – Linds x

How to make butternut squash noodles

If you’re used to spiralizing veggies, know that butternut squash requires a few extra steps to prep, and is a tougher noodle to shape than most. Start by selecting a butternut squash with a long neck–this will give you more noodles per squash.

Step 1: How to cut and peel butternut squash:

A sharp knife and a good cutting board are necessary for prepping this tough veggie. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. Slice the squash at the bottom of the neck, just before it starts to round out. Discard the round portion (ie the bulbous)–it’s full of seeds and won’t convert into noodles. Remove the top.
2. Use a sharp knife to remove the skin–most veggie peelers are not strong enough for the tough skin.

Step 2: How to spiralize butternut squash:

Now that your butternut is beautifully prepped, let’s spiralize. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Type of spiralizer. Since butternut squash is significantly harder than most veggies (think zucchini, summer squash, etc.), it’s important to use a sturdy spiralizer–most handheld options won’t do. Just like my sweet potato noodles, I prefer using a metal spiralizer.
• Attaching. You want to make sure the squash is firmly pressed into the prongs before you begin.
• Stabilizing. Also, be sure that the spiralizer is firmly attached to the counter.
• Long noodles. Once sliced, I like to trim the noodles with kitchen scissors, as they’ll be extremely long.

Can you make butternut squash spaghetti without a spiralizer?

Unlike zucchini, which can easily be shaped into zucchini ravioli or zucchini lasagna, butternut squash is firm and hard to slice. But you can do it! Just know it’ll be an arm workout. Try using a mandolin, or a veggie peeler to do this. Or! Buy butternut squash noodles from the store.

Looking for an easier squash to shred into noodles? Check out my how to cook spaghetti squash guide–all you need is a baking sheet, knife, and a fork!

How to cook butternut squash noodles

My favorite way to cook butternut squash noodles is a quick sauteé over the stove–they don’t need long to become tender and delicious.

• Sauteéd butternut squash noodles: Start by sauteéing garlic (or preferred aromatic) in butter or oil. Add the butternut squash noodles and seasoning, then toss to coat. Sauté until softened to your liking–about 8 minutes. You’ll want to toss the noodles frequently to ensure they cook evenly.
• Roasted butternut squash spaghetti: Spread noodles onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with oil and seasoning. Bake at 400 F for 8 minutes. Check, and continue to cook until the noodles have softened to your liking.

PRO TIP: No matter which method you choose, be sure not to overcook the noodles. Otherwise, they’ll fall apart as you try to eat them. Also, be sure to season them as they cook to infuse the most flavor.

Common Questions:

• What to do with butternut squash noodles? Whatever you want! But I love to toss them in butter, aromatics, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Feel free to add cooked chicken or shrimp for protein (psst–check out my shrimp zucchini pasta for inspo).
• What sauce goes with butternut squash noodles? Butternut squash’s sweet flavor goes well with almost everything–from the simple sauce shared below to hearty sauces like bolognese or alfredo.
• Can I freeze butternut squash noodles? Sure can, although they’ll be a bit soggy when cooked. Be sure to freeze raw spiralized squash noodles.
• Can I swap the noodles for another squash? Yes! Think garlic parmesan spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or even summer squash.

More Squash Recipes

• Oven Roasted Zucchini
• Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
• Spaghetti Squash Casserole
• Keto Squash Casserole
• Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash