Description
Roasted butternut squash pasta brings pure comfort to your dinner table, blending savory sausage and tender spinach in a rich, satisfying sauce that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening. Hearty ingredients create a simple yet delicious meal perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Garnishes:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a toasty 400F and grab a baking sheet for the squash adventure.
- Chop the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over them. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, then toss until each cube glistens.
- Spread the seasoned cubes in a single layer across the baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t crowded.
- Roast the squash for exactly 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden and centers become tender when pierced.
- While squash roasts, boil 8 ounces of pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and crumble 1 pound Italian sausage into the pan.
- Cook the sausage for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until no pink remains.
- Toss 2 cups fresh spinach into the sausage skillet and stir until leaves wilt and turn bright green.
- Transfer roasted squash to a blender and pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Blend until silky smooth.
- Combine pasta, sausage, spinach, and creamy squash sauce in a large serving bowl. Gently fold together.
- Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Roasting the butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and creates a deeper flavor profile for your sauce.
- Blend the squash and cream thoroughly to ensure a silky smooth texture without any lumps in the sauce.
- Choose a mild Italian sausage to complement the creamy squash without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- For a vegetarian version, swap the sausage with roasted mushrooms or crispy chickpeas to maintain a protein-rich dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg