Must-Try Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage & Spinach Recipe
Autumn's golden butternut squash pasta promises a comforting culinary adventure that speaks directly to your soul.
Crisp evenings call for hearty meals bursting with rich, nuanced flavors.
Tender roasted squash melds seamlessly with spicy Italian sausage, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.
Vibrant spinach adds a fresh, emerald touch to this delightful dish.
Fragrant herbs and creamy sauce intertwine, elevating each forkful into a memorable experience.
Cozy kitchens buzz with warmth as this incredible recipe comes together effortlessly.
Come savor a plate that feels like a culinary hug from fall itself.
Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach to Delight
Ingredients to Prepare Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
Main Ingredients:Dairy and Cream:Aromatics and Seasonings:How to Cook Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
Warm Up the Oven
Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F. This high heat will help transform your butternut squash into caramelized golden goodness.
Prepare Butternut Squash
Grab your butternut squash and cube it into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Toss until every piece is gloriously coated.
Roast the Squash
Spread the seasoned squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Make sure pieces aren’t crowding each other. Slide into the hot oven and roast until tender and slightly caramelized, about 30 minutes.
Cook the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook until it’s beautifully browned and fully cooked, stirring occasionally.
This should take around 10 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to a separate plate.
Sauté the Garlic
In the same skillet, add another splash of olive oil. Toss in minced garlic and cook until it becomes wonderfully fragrant, about 1 minute.
Wilt the Spinach
Add spinach to the skillet and cook until it transforms into soft, emerald green wilted leaves, stirring occasionally. This takes about 5-7 minutes.
Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until it melts completely.
Season with salt, tasting as you go.
Cook the Pasta
Boil farfalle pasta in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, typically 7-11 minutes.
Drain when done.
Combine Everything
Add the drained pasta to the creamy spinach sauce.
Toss in the cooked sausage and mix everything together until well-coated.
Add Roasted Squash
Gently fold in the roasted butternut squash.
You can mix it throughout or create a beautiful topping arrangement.
Final Seasoning
Give the dish a final taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious creation!
Tips for Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
Variations on Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
Pairing Suggestions for Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
Storage Tips for Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli work great in this recipe. Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well and complements the creamy texture.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, simply replace the sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a similar hearty flavor profile. You can also add extra spices to enhance the taste.
How do I know if my butternut squash is properly roasted?
The squash is done when it turns golden brown at the edges and can be easily pierced with a fork. Look for slight caramelization and a soft, tender texture that indicates it’s perfectly roasted.
Can I prepare any components of this recipe in advance?
Definitely! You can roast the butternut squash and cook the sausage ahead of time.

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta With Sausage And Spinach Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Rustic butternut squash pasta delights palates with hearty Italian-inspired flavors. Sausage and spinach elevate this comforting dish, inviting you to savor each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
- 8 oz farfalle (bow-tie pasta)
- 1/2 lb sausage (crumbled, casings removed)
- 2 cups butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
- 6 oz spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F, preparing for a robust roasting process of butternut squash.
- Toss cubed squash with olive oil, generously seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Spread squash on parchment-lined baking sheet in single layer, allowing each piece maximum caramelization potential.
- Roast for 30 minutes until edges turn golden and squash becomes tender, then remove and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown sausage thoroughly, cooking approximately 10 minutes while breaking into small crumbles.
- Transfer cooked sausage to a separate plate, maintaining skillet’s seasoned surface.
- Sauté minced garlic in same skillet for 60 seconds until aromatic and fragrant.
- Add spinach to skillet, wilting leaves for 5-7 minutes while stirring intermittently.
- Pour heavy cream into spinach mixture, bringing to quick boil before reducing to simmer.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce becomes smooth and fully integrated.
- Simultaneously cook farfalle pasta in boiling water until perfectly al dente, typically 7-11 minutes.
- Drain pasta and combine with creamy spinach sauce and reserved sausage in skillet.
- Gently fold roasted butternut squash into pasta, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, creating harmonious flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose butternut squash that feels heavy and has a matte, hard skin for the best flavor and texture.
- Spread squash pieces far apart on the baking sheet to ensure crispy, caramelized edges instead of steaming.
- Swap pork sausage with turkey or plant-based sausage for lighter, dietary-friendly variations that maintain rich flavor profiles.
- Add red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like sage for an extra flavor boost that complements the creamy sauce and roasted squash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 545 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Nate Harper
Founder & Recipe Curator
Expertise
Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.
Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.
Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.