Skip to main content

Spaghetti with Eggplant, Butternut Squash, and Shrimp

The colors in this pasta—the orange of the squash and shrimp against the black eggplant skins—always remind me of Halloween, which is why I often serve it for that holiday. Actually, it’s a perfect dish for any celebratory fall meal.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
2 Japanese eggplants, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
1 1/2 cups fish broth or vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups dry white wine
2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound spaghetti
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut in pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for just a minute, then add the squash, eggplant, and herbs and sauté until the eggplant softens, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the broth and wine. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer until the squash is tender and the liquid is reduced by about half, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer gently until almost cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain.

    Step 3

    Add the cooked pasta, butter, salt, and pepper to the squash mixture, and toss to combine. Transfer the pasta mixture to a wide shallow bowl and serve.

Everyday Pasta
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.