Description
This Baked Butternut Squash, Spicy Sausage, and Spinach Pasta is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Tender butternut squash and fresh spinach blend with robust Italian sausage and melted cheeses, all baked together for a deliciously golden and bubbly finish.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sausage
- 1 pound short cut pasta (like rotini)
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 ounce bag fresh spinach
Cheeses
- 8 ounces freshly grated mozzarella or provolone cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the short cut pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer the pasta to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it apart using a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausage is fully browned and crumbled. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add olive oil and warm over medium-low heat. Add diced onions, minced garlic, cubed butternut squash, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Stir in dried sage and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the squash becomes tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Once wilted, transfer the entire vegetable mixture to the baking dish with the pasta. Add the browned sausage back into the dish and toss everything together until well combined.
- Mix Cheeses: Stir in half of the grated mozzarella or provolone cheese and the parmesan into the pasta mixture until evenly distributed. Then sprinkle the remaining grated cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese topping turns golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute the Italian sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option.
- If fresh butternut squash is not available, frozen cubes can be used but reduce cooking time accordingly.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Make sure not to overcook the spinach to avoid turning the dish soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
