Description
Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash is a comforting and flavorful dish that beautifully marries savory Italian sausage with the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash and vibrant spinach. Perfect for chilly evenings or festive gatherings, this one-pot meal is not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a delightful family favorite that captures the essence of fall.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach (baby spinach recommended)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Halve the butternut squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Drizzle olive oil over the squash halves, season with salt and pepper, and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes until tender.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat for about 6 minutes per side. Remove and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté minced garlic in the same skillet until fragrant (about 1 minute), then add spinach until wilted.
- Scoop out roasted squash flesh into the pot with cooked pasta, sausage, garlic, and spinach. Toss gently and top with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Roasting/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg