Description
This Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is the ultimate cozy fall dinner. A rich, velvety butternut squash sauce hugs every bite of pasta, balanced with savory Italian sausage and fresh spinach. It’s creamy, hearty, and ready in under 40 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving comfort food with a seasonal twist.
Ingredients
-
8 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
-
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
-
½ lb Italian sausage, casings removed
-
2 cups fresh spinach
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
-
Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
-
Blend the sauce: In the same skillet, add the roasted butternut squash and heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
-
Combine everything: Add cooked pasta, sausage, and spinach to the skillet. Toss until the spinach wilts and everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
-
Serve: Top with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
-
Save time by using pre-cut butternut squash from the grocery store.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Use spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor depth.
Leftovers reheat beautifully—add a splash of milk or broth before warming to keep it creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg