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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
Filed Under:Savory
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69 comments to "Butternut Squash Tortellini Bake "
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HalfBakedHarvest
October 26, 2014 AT 8:09PM
I am good with no meat, especially when pasta, cheese and butternut are involved. This look so good and so cozy!
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realfoodbydad
October 26, 2014 AT 9:34PM
It really was a cozy dish, although cold weather would help. Thanks Tieghan and have a great week!
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Tutti Dolci
October 26, 2014 AT 10:07PM
I love butternut squash, bring on the vegetarian bake! 😉 This is my dream dinner!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:12AM
I had to once again stop myself from picking at the squash, it’s like candy to me. Thanks Laura!
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Arman @ thebigmansworld
October 27, 2014 AT 1:01AM
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!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:12AM
Haha loved reading that. Thanks Arman!
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Liz Stark
October 27, 2014 AT 2:56AM
This dish totally makes up for a lack of meat 🙂 Tortellini Bakes are FANTASTIC!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:12AM
It definitely does Liz, thanks so much!
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Amanda Jane
October 27, 2014 AT 3:37AM
This really looks incredible, I can’t wait to try the recipe this week!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:13AM
Thank you so much Amanda!
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Liz @ FloatingKitchen
October 27, 2014 AT 4:54AM
Looks delicious and I can imagine is certainly was a crowd pleaser. Butternut squash is so my jam!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:13AM
My jam too Liz! Seriously like candy to me.
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October 27, 2014 AT 5:38AM
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 🙂
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:14AM
We get so accustomed to eating meat, so this was a nice break and we loved it. Hope you have a great week Helene!
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Sandy Coughlin
October 27, 2014 AT 6:29AM
Delicious! My family would love this, Matt!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:14AM
Thanks so much Sandy!
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grandbabycakes
October 27, 2014 AT 8:49AM
How incredible does this look? Seriously I would dive right into that.
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 11:33AM
Thanks Jocelyn!
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Marissa
October 27, 2014 AT 9:44AM
Oh no, broken waffle iron! 😉 This tortellini bake looks delicious – perfect fall comfort food.
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 11:34AM
Thanks Marissa! I know, how will I survive?! Have a great week!
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Marissa
October 27, 2014 AT 12:11PM
You too Matt! 🙂
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Annalise
October 27, 2014 AT 10:00AM
This is a perfect weeknight meal! My family goes crazy for butternut squash so I’m sure this will be a hit. Pinning!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 11:34AM
Mine does too, absolute favorite of ours. Thanks so much Annalise!
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October 27, 2014 AT 1:27PM
This is my kind of dream meal – provided I don’t eat all the squash first like Cole!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:55PM
We were just thinking the same thing Luci. Squash is seriously like candy and I can’t wait to make more soon. Thanks!
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October 27, 2014 AT 2:27PM
Mind blown once again. This looks amazing, Matt. Pinned and making as soon as I possibly can!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:55PM
You’re the best, thanks Claire!
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October 27, 2014 AT 3:17PM
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!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:56PM
Thanks Diane! Ugh…the store! I am seriously there every single day or night. Food bloggers should get frequent shopper points, right?
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Paula
October 27, 2014 AT 4:04PM
My kind of dish! Awesome recipe, Matt ! Pinned!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:56PM
Thanks so much Paula!
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Andrea@Cooking w/ a Wallflower
October 27, 2014 AT 4:59PM
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.
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:56PM
Love that idea Andrea, perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Thanks!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
October 27, 2014 AT 5:13PM
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!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:57PM
Haha, sad but true! My new one should be here tomorrow, can’t wait!
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Alice Choi
October 27, 2014 AT 5:24PM
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. 😛
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:58PM
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 🙂
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David @ Spicedblog
October 27, 2014 AT 5:25PM
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
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:58PM
Thanks David! Probably broke from overuse, or I put something in there that had no business being waffled!
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Megan {Country Cleaver}
October 27, 2014 AT 8:17PM
Not the waffle makerrrrrr!!!! Well, this is a might find switcharoo!!
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realfoodbydad
October 27, 2014 AT 8:59PM
A new one is on its way as we speak, can’t wait Megan!
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Kate@Diethood
October 28, 2014 AT 7:42AM
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?? 😉
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 11:36AM
It is funny, the iron and I needed a little break anyway:) Thanks Kate!
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October 28, 2014 AT 9:03AM
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…
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 11:37AM
Thanks Shareba! It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and is so worth it. Let me know if you try it!
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Brenda Klein Score
October 28, 2014 AT 10:40AM
I need to make this for our oldest daughter, a kinda new butternut squash fan. She would LOVE this!
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 11:38AM
Thanks Brenda! Cole is a new butternut squash fan now too, absolutely loves it.
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Najwa
October 28, 2014 AT 2:08PM
This looks great! I would have had seconds too!
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 10:16PM
Thanks so much Najwa!
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Allie|Baking a Moment
October 28, 2014 AT 3:05PM
Ooh yum! This is fall comfort food at its best. Love the cheesy panko topping!
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 10:16PM
Thank you Allie!
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Danelle04
October 28, 2014 AT 5:37PM
This looks amazing, considering your cheese and bacon shortage! Love the panko and Parmesan topping.
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 10:16PM
Thank you Danelle!
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October 28, 2014 AT 6:07PM
Pasta and squash are perfect together!! Together they make some amazing comfort foods!
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realfoodbydad
October 28, 2014 AT 10:16PM
I agree Mallory, thanks so much!
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October 29, 2014 AT 7:16AM
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!
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realfoodbydad
October 29, 2014 AT 9:11AM
Got a new one so I will put it to use soon. Thanks Shashi!
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October 29, 2014 AT 3:16PM
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!
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realfoodbydad
October 29, 2014 AT 9:27PM
I am the same way but probably need to do it more often. Except for skipping bacon of course!
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October 30, 2014 AT 12:01PM
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!
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Life Made Simple
November 1, 2014 AT 7:02PM
This looks crazy delicious!!! As always 🙂
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realfoodbydad
November 4, 2014 AT 10:14PM
You’re so sweet, thanks Natalie!
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November 3, 2014 AT 1:33AM
I managed to miss you whipping up a vegetarian dish! I admit I did a double take. Love the look of this!!
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realfoodbydad
November 4, 2014 AT 10:14PM
No kidding, I almost did too. Thanks Natasha!
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Brie Guilfoyle
November 4, 2014 AT 5:22AM
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!
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realfoodbydad
November 4, 2014 AT 10:15PM
Thanks Brie! I would say about 4 servings. Let me know if you make it!
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Brie Guilfoyle
November 10, 2014 AT 5:59AM
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!
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realfoodbydad
November 10, 2014 AT 8:23AM
Thanks Brie! Depends how hungry you are:) But probably about 4 servings.
