Description
Warm your soul with this delightful Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash. This comforting recipe features hearty sausage and tender pasta enveloped in a creamy butternut squash sauce, making it ideal for chilly evenings or festive gatherings. The vibrant colors and rich flavors create a dish that not only satisfies hunger but also brings loved ones together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (or chicken sausage)
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, and roast for about 30-40 minutes until tender. Scoop flesh into a bowl.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente; drain and reserve some pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onions in olive oil until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute before adding crumbled sausage. Brown the sausage.
- Stir in roasted butternut squash and heavy cream, simmering gently for about 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Add cooked pasta and fresh spinach to the skillet, tossing well. Incorporate reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess.
- Finish by stirring in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg