Butternut squash ravioli is one of those cozy, feel-good meals that checks all the boxes—and this version levels it up with a creamy, hidden veggie sauce and added protein to keep you full and satisfied. With lots of hidden veggies and plenty of flavor, this butternut squash sauce is delicious paired with ravioli or any of your favorite pasta.

I built this recipe to be both practical and balanced: fiber-rich veggies for digestion, healthy fats for flavor and satiety, and protein from the ground beef to support steady energy. It’s the kind of easy weeknight dinner that feels elevated, but comes together with simple, real ingredients.

hidden veggie butternut squash ravioli served in a white bowl with a fork

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Hidden Veggie Sauce

The base of this dish is a creamy butternut squash pasta sauce made from roasted vegetables, feta, and a splash of coconut cream for richness.

Roasting the veggies first brings out their natural sweetness while also boosting flavor—no need for anything complicated. Blending everything together creates a smooth, comforting sauce that’s packed with nutrients but still feels like classic comfort food.

If you liked my Creamy Homemade Vodka Sauce (With Hidden Veggies), then you’re going to love this one too. And on that same note, I also have my Toddler Chicken Nuggets with Hidden Broccoli that follow a similar approach—simple ways to add more vegetables without overthinking it.

Hidden veggie ravioli sauce in blender with broth and coconut cream
Ground beef cooking in pan for protein-packed ravioli
Mixing ravioli with creamy roasted vegetable sauce and reserved pasta water
Close-up of butternut squash ravioli with parmesan and fried sage

A High-Protein, Meal Prep-Friendly Dinner

One of my favorite parts about this healthy ravioli recipe is that the sauce makes a double batch (about 6 cups total), so you automatically have leftovers ready to go. Use half for this dish, then store the rest for a quick, freezer-friendly dinner later in the week.

You can keep it flexible, too—use fresh or packaged ravioli, gluten-free if needed, and swap based on what you have on hand. It’s a great example of a balanced meal: protein, fiber, and fats working together to support blood sugar and keep you satisfied.

Whether you’re cooking for your family or just want a reliable meal prep option, this is one to keep in your rotation. Hope you love it!

Detailed view of ravioli coated in creamy butternut squash sauce
Raw ingredients for high-protein butternut squash ravioli including squash, beef, and feta

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • Butternut squash
  • Red bell pepper
  • Yellow squash
  • Red onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Block of feta
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Organic chicken bone broth (I like Kettle & Fire)
  • Can of coconut cream
  • Grass-fed ground beef
  • Gluten-free ravioli (or ravioli of choice, fresh or packaged works)

Optional Toppings:

  • Grated parmesan
  • Fried sage (see below for how to make!)

How To Make Hidden Veggie Butternut Squash Ravioli

Looking for the full recipe?

Scroll down to the Recipe Card below for complete instructions & measurements.

This hidden veggie butternut squash ravioli comes together with a creamy roasted veggie sauce, added protein from ground beef, and is perfect for cozy dinners or freezer-friendly meal prep.

  1. Roast the veggies and feta. Add the butternut squash, bell pepper, yellow squash, and garlic to a sheet pan, then nestle the feta right in the center. Drizzle with olive oil, season well, and roast until everything is tender and caramelized.
  2. Blend the sauce. Transfer the roasted veggies and feta to a blender, then add the bone broth and coconut cream. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Cook the beef. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef in olive oil until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Bring the sauce together. Pour about half of the butternut squash sauce into the skillet with the beef and stir to combine. (Save the rest for later—this recipe makes a double batch!)
  5. Boil the ravioli. Cook your ravioli according to the package instructions, reserving some pasta water before draining.
  6. Combine everything. Add the cooked ravioli to the skillet along with a splash of pasta water, then gently toss until everything is coated in the sauce.
  7. Make the fried sage (optional but worth it). Heat oil in a small pan, then fry the sage leaves until crisp (this happens quickly!). Transfer to a paper towel to drain.
  8. Serve and garnish. Plate the ravioli and finish with grated parmesan and crispy fried sage for the ultimate cozy, flavor-packed dinner.

Recipe Substitutions & Questions

Here are a few easy substitutions and swaps to help you customize this Hidden Veggie with Butternut Squash Ravioli recipe based on what you have on hand or your dietary needs.

Tips & Variations

  • Use any ravioli you like. Gluten-free, fresh, or frozen all work—cheese, spinach, or meat-filled are all great here.
  • Switch up the protein. Ground turkey, chicken, or sausage are easy swaps for the beef.
  • Take a shortcut. Pre-cut butternut squash saves time and makes this even more weeknight-friendly.
  • Adjust the creaminess. Coconut cream keeps it rich, but full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream both work.
  • Make it dairy-free. Skip the feta and parmesan or use dairy-free alternatives—the sauce will still be creamy and flavorful.
  • Add greens. Toss in spinach or kale at the end for an easy nutrient boost.
  • Meal prep it. This sauce makes a double batch—freeze half for a quick dinner later.
  • Not feeling ravioli? Use any pasta shape you have on hand.
  • Don’t skip the garnish. Fried sage and parmesan add the best texture and flavor.

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Creamy ravioli with hidden veggie sauce in bowl side view

FAQs

Can I make butternut squash ravioli ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is great for prepping ahead. You can make the butternut squash sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 4–5 days or freeze it for up to 2–3 months. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat the sauce, cook your ravioli fresh, and toss everything together. It’s an easy way to get a balanced, veggie-packed dinner on the table quickly.

Is this butternut squash ravioli recipe gluten-free?

It can be. Just use your favorite gluten-free ravioli and double check your other ingredients. The sauce itself is naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy swap that doesn’t change the flavor or texture.

Can I use a different pasta instead of ravioli?

Definitely. This creamy butternut squash sauce works well with any pasta shape—penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti are all great options. Ravioli adds a little extra heartiness, but the sauce is versatile enough to use with whatever you have.

Butternut squash ravioli topped with parmesan and fried sage

What protein works best in this recipe?

Ground beef adds a great boost of protein and richness, but you can easily swap in ground turkey, chicken, or sausage depending on what you have on hand. The goal is to pair the fiber-rich sauce with protein to help keep you full and support steady energy.

How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

This recipe already has a good amount of hidden veggies blended into the sauce, but you can always add more. Stir in spinach or kale at the end, or serve it with a simple side salad for an extra boost of fiber and nutrients.

How do I make the sauce extra creamy without dairy?

The coconut cream in this recipe already helps create a really smooth, creamy texture without relying on heavy dairy. If you’re keeping it fully dairy-free, you can skip the feta or use a dairy-free alternative—the roasted vegetables still blend into a rich, velvety sauce. For an extra boost of creaminess, you can also add a splash more coconut cream or even blend in a bit of soaked cashews for a thicker texture.

What does butternut squash ravioli taste like?

Butternut squash ravioli has a naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavor with a soft, creamy texture. In this recipe, that sweetness is balanced with savory elements like roasted garlic, feta, and seasoned ground beef, so it doesn’t feel overly rich or one-note. The blended veggie sauce adds even more depth, making it a comforting, well-rounded dish that still feels balanced.

Overhead photo of creamy ravioli with hidden veggie sauce and crispy sage

More Healthy Pasta & High-Protein Dinner Recipes

Hidden Veggie Butternut Squash Ravioli

By Rachael DeVaux
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
This butternut squash ravioli is made with a creamy hidden veggie sauce, ground beef for added protein, and simple ingredients. It’s an easy, balanced dinner that’s perfect for weeknights or meal prep, with extra sauce to freeze for later.

Ingredients 

  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
  • 1 yellow squash, sliced into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 red onion, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 4 ounce block of feta
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup organic chicken bone broth, (I like Kettle & Fire)
  • 1 5.4 oz. can of coconut cream
  • 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
  • 12 ounce package of gluten-free ravioli (or ravioli of choice, fresh or packaged works!)

Optional Toppings:

  • Grated parmesan
  • 6 sprigs sage (to make fried sage, instructions below)

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • To a sheet pan, add the butternut squash, bell pepper, yellow squash and garlic. Nestle the block of feta in the middle. Drizzle everything with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Roast in the oven for 40 minutes until soft and starting to caramelize.
  • Carefully add the roasted veggies to a blender and pour in the chicken broth and coconut cream. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed with more salt and pepper.
  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining olive oil and ground beef. Cook until browned, 7-8 minutes.
  • Drain off excess fat from the pan and add half the butternut squash sauce to the meat.
  • Cook ravioli according to the package, saving ½ cup of pasta water.
  • Add the ravioli to the sauce along with the pasta water and stir gently to coat.
  • Serve with optional garnishes of grated parmesan and fried sage (see instructions below). Enjoy!

To Make Fried Sage (Optional):

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil over medium heat.
  • When oil is hot, add dry sage leaves and watch as they sputter and fry. After 30 seconds to 1 minute, move to a paper towel to drain. You can crush them or serve them whole on top of your ravioli.

To Store:

  • The sauce makes a double batch (~6 cups total, depending on the size of your veggies). Roughly half will be used to serve, the other half can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or freezer for 2-3 months.

Notes

Swaps & Substitutions:
  • Ravioli: Use gluten-free, regular, fresh, or frozen. Any filling works.
  • Ground beef: Sub ground turkey, chicken, or sausage.
  • Butternut squash: Use pre-cut, or swap with sweet potato or kabocha squash.
  • Feta: Goat cheese or ricotta can work, but feta gives the most flavor.
  • Coconut cream: Sub heavy cream or half-and-half, or use full-fat coconut milk.
  • Bone broth: Regular chicken or vegetable broth both work.
  • Bell pepper: Any color works, or swap with carrots.
  • Yellow squash: Zucchini is a direct swap.
  • Onion: Yellow or white onion can be used.
  • Olive oil: Avocado oil works great.
  • Parmesan: Sub pecorino or dairy-free alternative.
  • Sage: Optional—skip or use basil or thyme.

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Welcome! I’m Rachael.

I enjoy sharing my love for food and fitness. I'm a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and a New York Times Bestselling author. Here you'll find all kinds of recipes and kitchen hacks, as well as workouts and fitness motivation. Enjoy! — xx Rachael

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