This unstuffed pasta shells with butternut squash is a one-pan meal that cooks pasta with squash and leeks in a cream sauce, and tops the whole shebang with lemon-infused ricotta.

What other pasta shapes can I use in this recipe?
You can substitute large or medium shells, ziti, farfalle, campanelle, or orecchiette for the jumbo shells here.
Unstuffed Pasta Shells with Butternut Squash
Ingredients
Directions
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
In an oven-safe, nonstick skillet that measures at least 12-inches (30-cm) in diameter over medium heat, warm the oil until shimmering, 2 to 3 minutes. Add squash, leeks, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook until leeks are softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the wine and cook until almost completely evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in the water and cream, then add the pasta and bring to a vigorous simmer. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, stirring gently and often, until the pasta is tender and liquid has thickened, about 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan over top, then dollop evenly with ricotta mixture. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until Parmesan is melted and spotty brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with basil and serve.
Recipe Testers' Reviews
This is a tasty and easy pasta with a lot of great flavors. The butternut squash and the leeks complement each other, and the lemon zest in the ricotta adds a nice bright zing. I didn't get much cayenne flavor so will increase that next time. I might even add sausage to make it extra hearty.
The water should be reduced by at least a cup so the sauce thickens better, you can always add more water as you go. I doubled the recipe so I can have good stuff to take to work so it took a while to make, and I used a 9 1/2 quart Dutch oven to hold everything.
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Sandy M.
This was absolutely delicious. It's incredibly easy to throw together, but it feels so fancy and decadent (the cream! the wine! the cheese!) that it would probably be something I’d make for guests on the weekend.
My household of three loved it, and everyone went back for more. I would, and will, definitely make this again. I might try cutting back on the cream and adding some broth to the mix next time, just to see how lightening it up would work out.