Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta

There's something about a great pasta dish that I find super comforting at the end of a long day. I love the below recipe because it includes plenty of hearty veggies so you can indulge a little without the guilt. Big thanks to Sam Owades for this inspired recipe :)

Butternut Squash: No surprise here, but I get excited when Butternut Squash comes back in season and I get to make some of my favorite recipes! It's high in fiber (helps with heart health), Contains B6 (needed for proper function of our nervous and immune systems), and has a significant amount of potassium (a mineral that is needed for proper function of literally every single cell in your body-that's pretty cool).

Spinach: Spinach is packed with nutritional benefits: It's loaded with phytonutrients that are necessary for healthy vision. It also contains Vitamin E which helps to stimulate the immune system and keep brain cells healthy by eliminating free-radicals. And then of course there's the high iron content (known for boosting Popeye's strength). Iron is needed for hemoglobin production and hemoglobin is a major component of energy.

Butternut Squash & Spinach Papardelle

• 2 Medium Butternut Squash Cubed (approx 1/2 in)
• 2 Medium Sweet Onions Coarsely Chopped
• 1 tbsp Garlic Chopped
• 1 Bag Fresh Spinach
• 6 Oz. Goat Cheese (1 small log)
• 3/4 Lb Pasta (Papardalle or Tube works best)

Toss Squash, Onion & Garlic in Olive Oil so there's a thin coat and add Salt & Pepper to taste. Place squash mixture in a large skillet over medium high heat and saute until soft (approx 15 minutes). Stir frequently.

While squash sautes, bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta per package directions.

When the squash is done, place in large serving dish. Add about a quarter of the goat cheese at a time until the squash is evenly covered but not heavily. Add fresh spinach to squash mixture and gently toss so spinach begins to wilt. Lastly, add cooked pasta and give on last toss and enjoy!

Sources: The 3-Day Cleanse, by Zoe Sakoutis and Erica Huss