This post is sponsored by Pasta Garofalo®. The opinions and text are all mine.
This creamy butternut squash pasta is packed with so much flavor! Tender roasted butternut squash, creamy rich homemade sauce, wilted spinach and smoked sausage make this butternut squash pasta recipe simply delicious everyone in your family will be asking for seconds before they clean their plates!
Fall is in the air. The warm days of Summer are over and even though the leaves have not totally changed their colors yet (at least, where we are), it's exciting to feel the crisp chill in the evening air.
Fall is also one of my favorite seasons of the year. I love all the smells and scents of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, the sight of apples and pumpkins being gathered and of course, the spectacular foliage!
Well, today I'm also excited to share with you a new recipe that's perfect for the cooling Fall weather: Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage.
You guys, this pasta dish is truly one of a kind! It's packed with so much flavor bite after bite. Tender roasted butternut squash, creamy rich homemade sauce, wilted spinach and smoked sausage all come together to make this pasta dish simply delicious!
Pasta Garofalo
I'm also thrilled to have partnered with Pasta Garofalo® to make this delicious butternut squash pasta dish. Have you had a chance to try out their pastas yet?
Before I tell you more about this new pasta recipe, let me tell you why Pasta Garofalo is different from all the other brands.
First, they are made in Italy and have been around for over 200 years!
Secondly, they don't compromise on quality and they choose only superior quality semolina.
If you're looking for a premium quality, gourmet pasta to make your everyday meals special, look no further than the Pasta Garofalo brand. I know my pasta recipes taste so much better using their 100% highest quality durum wheat semolina pasta. Pasta Garofalo pastas really do elevate my pasta recipes to the next level!
How to Make Butternut Squash Pasta
Ingredients
This delicious recipe has a few key ingredients that I want to tell you a little about. Using high quality ingredients will really make your pasta a whole lot better!
Butternut Squash- Butternut squash has a wonderful, sweet and nutty taste. It is in season in the fall and winter which is why this dish is especially great to serve during the colder season. Roasted squash has a slightly caramel flavor that you will love.
Spinach- Spinach is full of vitamin A and C. It is also a great source of antioxidants, fiber and nutrients. Wilted spinach is a vibrant green color that makes your bowl of pasta especially pretty.
Pasta- Have you had a chance to try out Pasta Garofalo pastas yet? I used the Garofalo Penne Ziti Rigate for this recipe. This pasta has such great flavor and texture. Using a high-quality pasta like Garofalo is so important to making this dish perfect.
Smoked Sausage- Choose your favorite smoked sausage to use in the pasta dish. Chicken, pork, spicy or sweet- any type of ground sausage will work!
How to Roast Butternut Squash
Roasting butternut squash brings out the sweet flavor of the veggie and also makes it tender and soft. That creamy texture and caramel taste is exactly what you want! Here is how to roast butternut squash:
- Toss the cubed squash together with olive oil, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Spread the seasoned squash on a lined sheet tray making a single layer.
- Roast in a preheated oven, flipping the squash halfway through so it browns evenly.
Easy enough, right?! Remember how simple it is to perfectly roast butternut squash next time you are looking for a quick, fall side dish.
How to Make Creamy Pasta Sauce
Cheesy, creamy homemade sauce is definitely my favorite part of this butternut squash pasta recipe. It makes the dish really exceptional and it's super easy to make, too!
- Add chopped onion, garlic and chicken broth to a saute pan and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the sausage and cook for 10 minutes. Break up the sausage as it cooks with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Remove the sausage from the pan and add the cream to the same pan.
- Bring the cream to a simmer and stir in the cheese, melting it into the cream.
That is all you need to do to create a perfect, cheesy, savory sauce!
Making Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Bowls
Once you have perfectly roasted squash and a rich, creamy homemade sauce, putting the pasta bowls together is super easy. Here is how it all comes together:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I like al dente pasta so I always use the lower cooking time.
2. Add the spinach to the warm cheese sauce and stir to let the spinach wilt.
3. Add the onion and sausage mix back into the pasta sauce along with the roasted squash. Stir everything together.
4. Add the pasta to the sauce mix and toss. Divide the delicious pasta between bowls and enjoy warm!
Since this fall-flavored pasta is so easy, it makes a fantastic weekday dinner idea. It is simple, rich and something everyone in your family will love. How about serving it on your next Thanksgiving dinner?
Tips and Tricks for Making Butternut Squash Pasta
I always try to think of ways to make dinner time easier. Here are a few tricks I have found that make this recipe fast and tasty.
Use pre-cut squash- Look in the grocery store for peeled, chopped butternut squash. This will save you the hassle of cutting off the hard outside peel. You can usually find it in the produce section.
Try sweet and spicy sausage- Using two types of sausage adds a lot more flavor to the pasta. A little spice mixed with sweetness makes a nicely balanced pasta bowl!
Change the milk- Whole milk, heavy cream, almond milk or even oat milk all work in this recipe. A higher fat milk will make a creamier pasta. Almond milk makes a great dairy-free cream sauce.
Double and Freeze- Make an extra large batch of butternut squash pasta and freeze it. Next time you need a meal in a hurry, you will have a perfect pasta dish ready and waiting in the freezer!
Try different greens- I have made this recipe using kale in place of spinach and it is just as great. Almost any winter greens will work well.
Try this delicious, seasonal pasta recipe and let me know what you think. Share any tricks you might have too! I always love hearing how you made this dish your own!
For a dish that's packed with so much flavor, it will seem like you have been in the kitchen for hours preparing this delicious butternut squash and pasta dish. But surprisingly, you can make this dish in under an hour. It really is the perfect fall weeknight meal!
Let me know when you have made this recipe and please come back to this post to comment how it turn out. I'd love to know!
And please, please don't skimp on the pasta. Use only high-quality, premium pasta from Pasta Garofalo.
I get my Pasta Garofalo pastas from my local The Fresh Market, but they're also available at your nearest Ingles, Tops, Big Y, Rouses and Dave's Marketplace!
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Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage
Description
This creamy butternut squash pasta is packed with so much flavor! Tender roasted butternut squash, creamy rich homemade sauce, wilted spinach and smoked sausage make this butternut squash pasta recipe simply delicious
Ingredients
For the Roasted Butternut Squash:
3 cups butternut squash, cubed (1 medium butternut squash)
¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon Salt
16 oz. Pasta Garofalo Penne Ziti Rigate (cooked and drained)
For the Cream Sauce:
½ cup onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup vegetable or chicken broth
13 oz. Smoked sausage, sliced
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup shaved parmesan cheese
3 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl toss together cubed butternut squash, olive oil, Italian seasoning, ground cumin, pepper, and salt.
- Roast seasoned cubed on a parchment lined baking sheet in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet add in onions, minced garlic, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add sausage to skillet and cook for 10 minutes. Once sausage is cooked remove onion and sausage mix and place in a bowl.
- In the same skillet add in heavy cream and whisk until sauce reaches a soft boil. Add in shaved parmesan cheese and let sauce simmer until cheese has completely melted.
- Add spinach, cooked sausage, roasted butternut squash, and pasta in with the cream sauce and stir until spinach has wilted.
- Mix pasta together and serve.
LOVE THIS RECIPE? PIN IT FOR LATER!
Jane Corteville says
We made this for a quick weekday meal. The squash was roasted in advance. I had the rest cut and ready to go. It was delicious and food was on the table in 15 min. It was delicious!
Nayna Kanabar says
This looks like a delicious and hearty pasta dish. It's Perfect to enjoy with a green salad and maybe some garlic bread.
Elizabeth says
Sounds so delicious and creamy! I need to make this pasta.
Alexis says
This dish came together really easily and my entire family enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Charina Rasing says
Sounds like we are having pasta for dinner anytime soon. Need to look for butternut squash at this time.
Stephanie De Jesus says
This is really good! This a really good recipe to add to my stash for pasta fridays.
Rachel says
This looks really good. I've had butternut squash ravioli and loved it but I haven't had it this way. This is a must try.
Thena says
Wow, this looks amazing! I can't wait to get what I need from the store and make this!
Angeline says
Never tried squash on pasta, but this looks so good! Thanks for the recipe.
christiana Onuoha says
I love pasta, and this looks really tasty and delicious.
Angela says
I've always wanted to try butternut squash, this gives me the perfect reason to try it
Forever My Little Moon says
This pasta looks so good! I'll have to try it!
Caroline says
This looks like a perfect meal for any night. One that the whole family will enjoy. And the preparation time is good too
Emman Damian says
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage sounds so delish. Can't wait to try it. Yum!
Clarice says
Wow! This looks really delicious. I think it would be a great way to enjoy pasta. Not to mention perfect if you want something else for a change. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Can't wait to try it.
khoingn | The Broad Life says
OMG I love these kind of pasta so much. Your post really makes me to do one now. Thanks for sharing the recipe! It's delicious for sure.
Rosey says
Nice hearty meal this makes, huh! Perfect for this cooler weather we are having.
Dominique says
I love pasta and sausage - this was a perfect combination! SO GOOD!
Elizabeth O says
The Spinach adds a good flavorful taste to it. This will easily become a favorite in the house
Beth Pierce says
Wow! this pasta dish is enticingly delicious. I cannot wait to try it
Dani says
What a perfect fall and winter dish. I am always looking for more ways to use butternut squash. Yum!
Christian Foremost says
All kinds of yum. I never wanted squash more in my life than i do right now. Wish i could try out this recipe!
Anosa Malanga says
This is my first time learning about Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage. Glad I came over this post and I am excited to really try it on my own. Thanks for the recipe!
Neely Moldovan says
This sounds so perfect for fall! I always need new recipes!
Ntensibe Edgar says
Sweet! It's my second time landing on a recipe similar to this and I'm getting more tempted to try it out. I love pasta and sausage! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Danielle says
Saving this and going to make it this fall.
Elise Ho says
This looks decadent and delicious. Also doesn’t seem particularly hard. I can think of some young men ie my sons who would really enjoy it.
Lavanda Michelle says
This pasta recipe sounds so deliciously good! I cant wait to try!
Kelly Bolen says
This is a MUST try for me! Saturday's dinner ready to go, I just need to buy the ingredients! I can't wait!
khoingn | The Broad Life says
OMG the dish 's looked so delicious. It makes me feel hungry now.
Imma try it one day for sure. Thanks for the recipe!
vidya says
i will skip the sausage but i love everything else in this so definitely trying a veg version soon
Neha says
This pasta looks super creamy and delish! I need to try it on a weekend soon.
Emman Damian says
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Spinach and Sausage sounds so yummy! I can't wait to cook it soon. Maybe on Sunday next week?
Ruth I says
This looks so good! I am excited to try this recipe. I will ask my mom to help me.
Richelle Escat says
I never had imagined this combination, but it looks like a must try.
Heather @ US Japan Fam says
This sounds (and looks) SO GOOD!!! I'm totally making this, and making extra of the squash part to eat on its own! YUM!!
Talya Stone says
Oooh this looks so yummy and creamy. Big fans of butternut squash here and it really is the perfect season for it.
Beth Pierce says
I love your recipes. the kids are really happy when I try to make new recipes for them. Surely, they will love this too
Alita Pacio says
this is awesome1 Anything with squash recipes, I'm on board!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
Oh wow, yum!!! This sounds super tasty. I've never paired butternut squash with pasta before.
Sarah says
Yum, this looks incredible. I love incorporating fall veggies into my recipes.
GiGi Eats says
This seriously looks drool-worthy! Holy moly, what a delicious dish - and I know it would absolutely be amazing especially during these cooler days!
Terri Steffes says
What a delicious fall dish. Cannot wait to try it with my husband.
Monica Simpson says
What a great way to use butternut squash! This look so healthy and delicious.
Stephanie says
This is such a perfect meal for the fall! I've only made butternut squash a few times and this recipe is a great way to make something new with it.
Heather says
This looks and sounds so delicious. I can't wait to make this for my family.
Marysa says
This sounds like the perfect fall/wintertime pasta dish. Love the combination of flavors and how hearty this dish is!
Tasheena says
This dish looks so savory, looking forward to making this for my family.
Forever My Little Moon says
This looks so tasty! I'll have to try it!
April says
Oh my goodness, this looks so yummy. I am definitely trying this sometime soon!
Leanne Wong says
This looks so good! I've never seen butternut squash pasta before. I can't wait to try this.
Amber Myers says
Oh yum, this looks like an amazing pasta. We love to have pasta for dinner, so I'll have to try this recipe.
Scarlet says
This pasta recipe is so delicious! I love the flavor combo of the butternut squash and spinach with sausage. Perfect one dish dinner.
Sage says
I'm a butternut squash junkie! I'm going to try to make a vegetarian version of this 🙂
Karla K says
This looks lovely. I forget to change up my pasta dishes and end up with store bought sauce too often. Also, love the spinach in it - a great way to add in some greens.