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Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach

Creamy butternut squash pasta with sausage spinach vibrant fall recipe
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Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is the ultimate fall comfort food—sweet roasted squash blended into a silky sauce, paired with savory sausage, earthy spinach, and Parmesan. Cozy, nourishing, and perfect for chilly nights!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work best)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss cubed squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 25–30 minutes until golden and tender, stirring halfway.
  2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Cook sausage until browned, 7–8 minutes. Add onion and sauté until translucent, then add garlic and sage, cooking 1 minute.
  4. Add roasted squash (reserve 1 cup for garnish), broth, and simmer 2 minutes. Blend with immersion blender until smooth. Stir in cream and nutmeg, simmer 5 minutes.
  5. Add spinach to sauce until wilted, then toss in pasta and Parmesan. Adjust with pasta water for desired consistency.
  6. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Garnish with reserved squash, extra Parmesan, and olive oil drizzle if desired.

Notes

Use pre-cut squash to save time. For dairy-free, swap cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Make sauce ahead—it stores beautifully for 3 days or freezes up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/creamy-butternut-squash-pasta-with-sausage-and-spinach/