Preheat the oven to 200°C, place the butternut on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil, coating well. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until caramelised and tender.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool. While the oven is still hot, place the prosciutto or Parma ham (if using) on a baking tray and roast for 5 to 10 minutes, or until crispy and curled. Set aside.

Blend the butternut, mascarpone and stock in a food processor until smooth. Adjust the seasoning.

Heat a nonstick frying pan and fry the bacon until crispy, then drain on kitchen paper.

Using the same pan, sauté the mushrooms until they just start to caramelise (about 4 minutes). Add the thyme and cook for another minute or two. Add the butternut mixture to the mushrooms and stir through.

Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente and drain,reserving some of the cooking liquid. Add the cooked pasta and half the bacon to the butternut and stir. If the sauce is a bit thick, add about 60ml of the pasta water to thin it out.

Scatter over the remaining bacon bits.

Serve with fresh Parmesan and the crispy prosciutto.