Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta
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Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta—an irresistible blend of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors that tastes like fall in every bite. Perfectly cozy and effortlessly impressive, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again!
Looking to create a dish that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to make? Say hello to Creamy Sausage and Butternut Squash Pasta! This cozy, rich meal is the perfect way to impress your dinner guests—or treat yourself to a restaurant-quality dinner at home. Don’t worry if you’re not a kitchen pro; this recipe is easy enough for beginners, and I’ll guide you through it step by step.
Packed with autumn flavors, this pasta combines the nutty sweetness of roasted butternut squash, the savory kick of apple chicken sausage, and the aromatic touch of sage. The creamy Parmesan sauce brings everything together into one deliciously comforting dish. The best part? You don’t need special skills or fancy equipment—just a love of delicious pasta. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil – For browning the sausage and bringing everything together.
- Apple chicken sausage – Sweet and savory perfection (regular sausage works too if you prefer!). Chicken sausage is a great meal all on it’s own. Make sure to check out How To Cook Chicken Sausage: 3 Easy Ways
- Butternut squash – Sweet, nutty, and the star of the show.
- Butter and heavy cream – The foundation of that luscious sauce.
- Sage leaves – Just a couple bring a ton of flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – Because pasta isn’t pasta without it.
- Nutmeg – A pinch goes a long way in adding warmth to the dish.
- Baby spinach – Adds a pop of green and balances the creaminess.
- Pappardelle pasta – These wide, flat noodles are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. If you don’t have pappardelle, fettuccine or tagliatelle work just as well.
How to Make Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta
- Lightly cook the Sausage – Apple Chicken Sausage is my favorite for this pasta but you can also use regular chicken sausage, or any pork sausage and it will still be totally delicious! The chicken sausage I use is already cooked so all you have to do is slice it and cook it in a pan with a little olive oil until it browns a little. If you are using a raw sausage you’ll need to cook it completely before moving on to the next step.
- Sautee the Butternut Squash – Next up is the butternut squash. This is one vegetable I never have trouble getting my kids to eat because it is slightly sweet and totally delicious. Add a little butter and a couple of leaves of sage to the pan and then pour in your butternut squash. Make sure you cut it into really small cubes, about 1/4 inch, so that it will cook quickly. Let it brown in the butter for about 5 minutes then toss everything around so it can brown on another side. Once it’s done set it aside
- Make the Creamy Sauce – Once your sausage and squash are cooked it’s time to make the creamy part of this Creamy Sausage Pasta with Butternut Squash. Add the remaining butter and heavy cream to the pan and cook over medium high heat until it comes to a simmer (that’s just short of boiling). Add a little nutmeg and Parmesan cheese and stir everything together, cooking until it begins to thicken.
- Add the Pasta – Now it’s time to bring it all together. Add cooked pasta, sausage, butternut squash, and spinach to the sauce and toss everything together so it is all coated in a rich creamy sauce. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is slightly wilted. Then you’re ready to sit down and eat!
Tips for Success
- Dice the Squash Small: Cutting the squash into small, even pieces helps it cook faster and more evenly.
- Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: It’s key for thinning the sauce without diluting the flavor.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly—go for the good stuff!
- Swap Ingredients Freely: Not a fan of chicken sausage? Use pork, turkey, or even a plant-based alternative.
How to Store and Reheat
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This dish is just as delicious the next day, but storing and reheating creamy pasta can be tricky if you want to maintain that silky sauce. Here’s how to do it right:
Storing the Pasta
- Cool It Down Quickly: Let the pasta cool to room temperature before storing it. This prevents condensation, which can water down the sauce.
- Use an Airtight Container: Transfer the pasta to an airtight container to keep it fresh. If possible, store the sauce and pasta separately to preserve the sauce’s texture.
- Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it (see freezing tips below).
- Optional Freezing: If you want to freeze it, portion the pasta into freezer-safe containers or bags. Keep in mind that cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when thawed, so freezing is best for short-term storage (up to 1 month).
Reheating the Pasta
- On the Stovetop (Best Method) – Place the pasta in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, milk, or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is heated through and the sauce is creamy again.
- In the Microwave (Quick Option) – Transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plate to trap moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, and add a splash of milk or water if needed to keep the sauce from drying out.
- Oven Method (For Larger Portions) – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).Pl ace the pasta in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat for 15-20 minutes, adding a bit of cream or milk beforehand if the pasta looks dry.
Looking for More Easy Pasta Recipes?
- Creamy Chicken Florentine Pasta
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Chicken
- Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
- Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
- Pasta Carbonara
- One Pot Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus
- One Pot Creamy Chicken Tortellini
- More Pasta Recipes…
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Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta
Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner recipe made with simple, natural ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 12 ounces Apple Chicken Sausage, sliced (See note #1)
- 3 cups Butternut squash, 1/4-inch diced
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 2 leaves Sage
- 1 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 2 cups Baby Spinach
- 12 ounces Pappardelle Pasta
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once ready reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat along with the COLEMAN ORGANIC® Apple Chicken Sausage until the sausage begins to brown. Once done set the sausage aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet along with sage leaves and butternut squash. Cook for 5 minutes, then toss squash so it browns on more than one side. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until squash is slightly browned and cooked through. Salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Add remaining tablespoon of butter and heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and nutmeg and continue stirring for 8-10 minutes, until mixture thickens. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add pasta, sausage, spinach, and butternut squash to the skillet stirring to coat everything. If you need to thin the sauce a bit you can add the reserved pasta water until you reach the consistency you like. Once the spinach is cooked remove pan from heat and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 1055kcal, Carbohydrates: 81g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 67g, Saturated Fat: 34g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 272mg, Sodium: 1396mg, Potassium: 771mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 14691IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 453mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
This is super tasty! Have made it with the apple chicken sausage and Italian and slightly prefer the Italian flavored. Thanks for the easy weeknight meal!
This is delicious, I have made it several times. I used different sausage each time. I think the Apple Sausage
is the best. Very Yummy!!
I never leave comments on recipes but I had to come back and leave some feedback. This is one of the best pasta recipes I’ve ever made, and I cook a lot! The fall flavors are absolutely delicious and perfectly balanced. We followed the recipe exactly.
Thank you Kayce!