Description
A comforting and nourishing pasta dish combining roasted butternut squash, Italian sausage, and fresh spinach in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread out on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the squash roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add roasted butternut squash and chicken broth to the skillet, and use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth.
- Incorporate heavy cream, chopped spinach, ground sage, and dried thyme into the pureed mixture. Allow to simmer until the spinach wilts and sauce is warmed through.
- Add the cooked sausage and pasta to the skillet and mix thoroughly. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasonings. Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain its creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 45mg