The waffle iron is broken (probably from overuse!), I was out of bacon and most of the cheese in the house was depleted. In fact, the refrigerator and pantry were looking pretty bare, so what follows is a vegetarian style dish.
Yep, vegetarian. I know, gasp. I did that too when I realized my protein intake would be in the negative as I was making this. But then . . .
Two bites later—who cares! This was so much better than I expected. Cole and Naomi had seconds, which is saying a lot for those two, who tend to eat like birds.
This started out a hit from the get-go with Cole. As soon I pulled the roasted butternut squash out of the oven, he was up against the counter, chin on the top of his hand—waiting for it cool. It wasn’t long before he kept plucking them off the bakesheet. I had no idea the kid liked it so much, any other time I would have let him go to town and eat as much as he wanted. But I had a dish to compose and pictures to take.
So, he just followed me—watching, waiting, hovering. I didn’t object, I just put him to work. I love it when that happens. I love it even more when my family enjoys my dinner as much as they did with this one. Now it’s off to Amazon to order a new waffle iron.
Butternut Squash Tortellini Bake
Ingredients
Instructions
I am good with no meat, especially when pasta, cheese and butternut are involved. This look so good and so cozy!
It really was a cozy dish, although cold weather would help. Thanks Tieghan and have a great week!
I love butternut squash, bring on the vegetarian bake! 😉 This is my dream dinner!
I had to once again stop myself from picking at the squash, it’s like candy to me. Thanks Laura!
It’s dishes like this which would have me converted to a vegetarian..
…A vegetarian who will eat a steak the next meal. Looks delicious mate!
Haha loved reading that. Thanks Arman!
This dish totally makes up for a lack of meat 🙂 Tortellini Bakes are FANTASTIC!
It definitely does Liz, thanks so much!
This really looks incredible, I can’t wait to try the recipe this week!
Thank you so much Amanda!
Looks delicious and I can imagine is certainly was a crowd pleaser. Butternut squash is so my jam!
My jam too Liz! Seriously like candy to me.
I am out of bacon also and was told by my son to buy more. I like vegetarisn dish, so I would be happy to eat this meal. I bet Naomie was very happy 🙂
We get so accustomed to eating meat, so this was a nice break and we loved it. Hope you have a great week Helene!
Delicious! My family would love this, Matt!
Thanks so much Sandy!
How incredible does this look? Seriously I would dive right into that.
Thanks Jocelyn!
Oh no, broken waffle iron! 😉 This tortellini bake looks delicious – perfect fall comfort food.
Thanks Marissa! I know, how will I survive?! Have a great week!
You too Matt! 🙂
This is a perfect weeknight meal! My family goes crazy for butternut squash so I’m sure this will be a hit. Pinning!
Mine does too, absolute favorite of ours. Thanks so much Annalise!
This is my kind of dream meal – provided I don’t eat all the squash first like Cole!
Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.
We were just thinking the same thing Luci. Squash is seriously like candy and I can’t wait to make more soon. Thanks!
Mind blown once again. This looks amazing, Matt. Pinned and making as soon as I possibly can!
You’re the best, thanks Claire!
you had me at tortellini…and what great idea when the protein supply is low. Which reminds me, I need to go to the store!
Thanks Diane! Ugh…the store! I am seriously there every single day or night. Food bloggers should get frequent shopper points, right?
My kind of dish! Awesome recipe, Matt ! Pinned!
Thanks so much Paula!
I love roasted butternut squash anything. Paired with tortellini, it’ll be the perfect dish for dinner and I might have to make a place for it on the Thanksgiving table.
Love that idea Andrea, perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Thanks!
I can’t believe your waffle iron is broken! Well, maybe I can. lol. Are you feeling any symptoms of withdrawl? Surely this warm, saucy pasta dish would be some awesome comfort food!
Haha, sad but true! My new one should be here tomorrow, can’t wait!
Matt, I love this post!!! Reading about Cole and butternut squash and having him follow you around. . so cute!! Poor kids. . mine know now that I usually have to take photos before anything can happen. . and they hate it. anyway, love the vegetarian dish!! Love that you are mixing it up . . even though you were kinda forced to make this . . and you couldn’t bake this in the waffle iron. 😛
I love being followed around by my boys. I’m happy he is still at that stage, where he volunteers to go with me to get gas, drop off mail, whatever, as long as it’s with Dad 🙂
I love the tortellini + squash combo here. It’s like comfort food meets the Fall. Or the Fall meets comfort food. Either way, it’s awesome! It should at least keep me busy thinking about it until your waffle iron gets fixed and you post some more crazy awesome recipes. Nice work, my friend! #WolfpackEats
Thanks David! Probably broke from overuse, or I put something in there that had no business being waffled!
Not the waffle makerrrrrr!!!! Well, this is a might find switcharoo!!
A new one is on its way as we speak, can’t wait Megan!
I would eat that entire thing. I really can… that sounds amazing!! Also? I literally LOL’ed at the waffle maker comment!! … Um… It’s not funny, is it?? 😉
It is funny, the iron and I needed a little break anyway:) Thanks Kate!
That pasta bake looks so lush and rich, and perfect for fall. How long did it take you to make from start to finish? I’m wondering if I should try this for dinner tomorrow or wait until the weekend… hmm…
Thanks Shareba! It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and is so worth it. Let me know if you try it!
Sweet, thanks for the info!
I need to make this for our oldest daughter, a kinda new butternut squash fan. She would LOVE this!
Thanks Brenda! Cole is a new butternut squash fan now too, absolutely loves it.
This looks great! I would have had seconds too!
Thanks so much Najwa!
Ooh yum! This is fall comfort food at its best. Love the cheesy panko topping!
Thank you Allie!
This looks amazing, considering your cheese and bacon shortage! Love the panko and Parmesan topping.
Thank you Danelle!
Pasta and squash are perfect together!! Together they make some amazing comfort foods!
I agree Mallory, thanks so much!
Yes-A vegetarian dish!!! Thank you!!! I am surprised they didn’t get thirds – this sounds wonderful So sorry about your dead waffle-iron though!
Got a new one so I will put it to use soon. Thanks Shashi!
I like to go vegetarian every so often to take a break from my meat-heavy diet (bacon!!). This looks like an awesome option for my next vegetarian meal. I love creamy squash sauces!
I am the same way but probably need to do it more often. Except for skipping bacon of course!
No waffle iron, no bacon, and no cheese?!?! Oh man…. what a nightmare for you! Did you have eggs?? …b/c I would totally #putaneggonit THis sounds legit!
This looks crazy delicious!!! As always 🙂
You’re so sweet, thanks Natalie!
I managed to miss you whipping up a vegetarian dish! I admit I did a double take. Love the look of this!!
No kidding, I almost did too. Thanks Natasha!
First and foremost – this looks unreal! I’m wondering though – how many servings would you say this makes? Not that it matters since I’m probably going to double/eat it all anyway – haha!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Brie! I would say about 4 servings. Let me know if you make it!
OMG Matt – I made this last night and it was a HUGE hit! After raking the leaves all day, I didn’t even feel a little guilty helping myself to a hearty serving of this dish 🙂
I can tell you right now, this is going right in the winter cooking rotation!
Thanks Brie! Depends how hungry you are:) But probably about 4 servings.