Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach (Fall Comfort Food!)

This Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is the perfect fall comfort food! It combines tender, roasted butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, wilted spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta, all tossed in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce. I love how this recipe is both hearty and flavorful, with a delightful mix of textures and tastes. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, a family dinner, or any time you’re craving a warm and satisfying pasta dish.

Why You’ll Love This Butternut Squash Pasta

• Creamy and Flavorful: The combination of roasted butternut squash, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream creates a rich and delicious sauce.
• Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with sausage, pasta, and vegetables, this dish is a complete and filling meal.
• Seasonal Flavors: The butternut squash and spinach make this a perfect dish for fall and winter.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.

Ingredients for Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious pasta. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Roasted Butternut Squash

• Butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed (Vegetable)
• Olive oil (Oil)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Pepper (Spice)

Sausage

• Olive oil (Oil)
• Sausage, crumbled, without casings (Meat)

Creamy Pasta Sauce

• Olive oil (Oil)
• Garlic cloves, minced (Aromatic)
• Spinach (Vegetable)
• Heavy cream (Dairy)
• Parmesan cheese, shredded (Dairy)
• Salt (Seasoning)

Pasta

• Farfalle (bow tie pasta) (Pasta)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Sausage: Use spicy Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even a plant-based sausage.
• Add More Vegetables: Toss in some mushrooms, bell peppers, or kale.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Different Cheese: Use Asiago, Romano, or a blend of Italian cheeses instead of Parmesan.
• Different Pasta: Use any type of short pasta, such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni.

How to Make Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

Let me show you how to make this flavorful and comforting Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta:

Roast Butternut Squash

1. I preheat my oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, I toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. I spread the squash on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.
4. I roast in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes. I remove from the oven and set it aside.

Cook Sausage

1. In a medium skillet, I heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat.
2. I add the crumbled sausage and cook for about 10 minutes, regularly stirring, until the sausage is cooked through.
3. I remove from heat.

Make Creamy Sauce

1. In a separate, large skillet, I heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil together with the minced garlic and spinach over medium heat.
2. I cook, occasionally stirring, for about 5 or 7 minutes, until the spinach starts to wilt.
3. I add the heavy cream.
4. I bring to a brief boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer (boiling but not intensely).
5. I add the shredded Parmesan cheese.
6. I keep stirring the sauce with the Parmesan cheese on low to medium boil (simmer) until the cheese melts. I remove it from the heat.
7. I season with salt to taste, about ¼ teaspoon of salt. No salt might be necessary if the sausage is very salty. Use your judgment about whether to add salt or not based on how salty the sausage is.

Cook Pasta and Assemble

1. I cook the pasta al dente in boiling water according to package instructions. That usually means cooking pasta in boiling water for about 7 to 11 minutes. I drain the pasta.
2. To the large skillet with the creamy spinach sauce, I add the drained cooked pasta and cooked sausage. I stir. I season with salt and pepper, if desired.
3. I top the pasta with the roasted butternut squash. I stir the squash in, or leave it on top.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Pasta

Here are my secrets for making this pasta dish truly exceptional:

• Roast the Butternut Squash: Roasting the butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and creates a delicious, caramelized flavor.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente, as it will continue to cook a bit in the sauce.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and has a more intense flavor than pre-shredded.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.

How to Serve

This Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:

• Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad would complement the richness of the pasta.
• Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied red wine, like Chianti or Pinot Noir, or a crisp white wine, like Pinot Grigio, would pair well with this dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can roast the butternut squash and cook the sausage ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the pasta and sauce just before serving. Leftover pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to loosen the sauce.

FAQs about Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

• Can I use a different type of pasta?
  • Yes, you can use any type of short pasta you like.
• Can I make this without the sausage?
  • Yes, you can omit the sausage for a vegetarian version.
• Can I use frozen butternut squash?
  • Yes

Enjoy this flavorful, comforting, and easy-to-make Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach! It’s a perfect meal for fall and winter.

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach (Fall Comfort Food!)

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Category: Main Course, Pasta
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American

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Description

This Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for fall. Roasted butternut squash, savory sausage, and wilted spinach are tossed with pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Roasted Butternut Squash:

• 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed (about 1/2-inch cubes)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Sausage:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot), casings removed, crumbled

For the Creamy Pasta Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 ounces fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste (see notes)
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

• 8 ounces farfalle (bow tie pasta) or other short pasta shape

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Instructions

• Roast Butternut Squash:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Peel, seed, and cube the butternut squash into approximately 1/2-inch cubes.
  • In a large bowl, toss the cubed butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  • Spread the seasoned squash in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  • Roast for 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

• Cook Sausage:

  • While the squash is roasting, cook the sausage. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the crumbled sausage (casings removed) to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking it up with a spoon, for about 10 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

• Make Creamy Sauce:

  • In a separate large skillet (or a Dutch oven), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the minced garlic and the fresh spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.
  • Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a brief boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer (low boil).
  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the simmering cream sauce. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat.
  • Season the sauce with salt to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon). Be mindful of the salt content of the sausage when seasoning the sauce.

• Cook Pasta:

  • While the squash is roasting and the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle (or other pasta) and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta well.

• Assemble:

  • Add the drained, cooked pasta and the cooked sausage to the large skillet with the creamy spinach sauce. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients.

• Add Roasted Squash: Add the roasted butternut squash to the pasta. You can either stir it in gently or arrange it on top of the pasta for presentation.

• Serve.

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Notes

• Butternut Squash: You can substitute pre-cut butternut squash to save time.
• Sausage: You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference. If using sausage links, remove the casings before cooking.
• Spinach: Fresh spinach is recommended, but you can use frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry.
• Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
• Salt: Be mindful of the salt content of the sausage and the Parmesan cheese when seasoning the sauce.
• Serving Suggestions: This pasta dish is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side salad or garlic bread.
• Storage: Store any leftovers.