Description
Roasted butternut squash pasta dazzles taste buds with its rich, hearty blend of Italian sausage and tender spinach. Smooth sauce and perfectly roasted squash create a comforting meal that invites you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 3 cups (400g) butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Protein and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (225g) Italian sausage, casing removed (spicy or mild)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to a high temperature of 400F (200C), ensuring an even cooking environment for the butternut squash.
- Arrange the cubed butternut squash on a spacious baking sheet, creating a single layer to promote optimal roasting and caramelization.
- Generously coat the squash with a blend of olive oil, aromatic seasonings including salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika, massaging the ingredients to ensure complete coverage.
- Transfer the seasoned squash to the preheated oven, allowing it to transform into a tender, golden-brown delicacy over 25-30 minutes.
- Midway through roasting, gently rotate the squash cubes to guarantee uniform browning and prevent any potential burning, creating a perfectly caramelized exterior.
- Monitor the squash closely during the final stages of roasting, looking for a rich, amber color and soft texture that signals complete cooking and maximum flavor development.
Notes
- Roasting butternut squash at high heat creates a caramelized exterior that intensifies its natural sweetness and adds depth to the pasta sauce.
- For a lighter version, swap pork sausage with turkey or chicken sausage to reduce fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
- Enhance the creamy texture by reserving some pasta water before draining, which helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Maximize meal prep by roasting extra squash cubes for quick additions to salads, grain bowls, or future pasta dishes during the week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg