Butternut Squash Pasta with Italian Sausage and Spinach
A cozy, creamy pasta with roasted butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, and tender spinach — comforting, flavorful, and perfect for the whole family.
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 750kcal
Ingredients
- 7 oz Short Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups Butternut Squash peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Sage
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Rosemary
- 1 Garlic Clove minced
- 4 oz Italian Sausage casings removed
- 1 cup Fresh Spinach
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Pasta Cooking Water (as needed)
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, garlic powder, sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Spread on a parchment-lined baking tray and roast for 20–25 minutes, until tender and golden at the edges. (Air fryer: 400°F / 200°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway.)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Add roasted squash to a blender with the heavy cream and a few tablespoons of water or pasta water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a large skillet, add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add minced garlic, and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Stir in the spinach and cook until the spinach wilts. Set aside.
- Stir in the butternut squash puree with the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Season to taste. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Add the sausage and spinach. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
- Boil the squash instead of roasting it to cut down time. Season it before blending it.
- Adjust the sauce consistency with pasta water for the perfect creamy coating.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for a bolder flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 750kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 980mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 16421IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 4mg
