If you are searching for a comforting, colorful, and deeply flavorful meal that feels like a warm hug, this Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. It brings together the sweet earthiness of tender butternut squash with the savory punch of spiced sausage and the creamy richness of half-and-half, all tossed with hearty noodles and fresh kale. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or impressing friends with a seasonal twist, this dish delivers in every bite—like fall on a plate with a peppery kick and a luscious finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe are straightforward yet essential to building layers of flavor, texture, and color. Every item plays a role in turning simple components into something truly special and satisfying.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Using a good quality oil will add a subtle fruity aroma and perfect sautéing base.
- Ground turkey or chicken sausage: Provides savory, seasoned protein to complement the squash’s sweetness.
- Butternut squash: The star ingredient, diced to tender, golden cubes that bring natural sweetness and creamy texture.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a slight sharpness that balances the dish.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: Both essential for seasoning at various points to heighten flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced to infuse warmth and aroma.
- Ground nutmeg and cayenne pepper: Adds gentle warmth and a hint of heat for depth.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid without overpowering.
- Half-and-half: Brings creamy richness that ties all ingredients together beautifully.
- Frozen egg noodles: The comforting pasta base that soaks up all those wonderful flavors.
- Kale: Adds vibrant color, a slight earthiness, and a pleasant chew to the dish.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: A salty, nutty finish that enhances every bite.
- Fresh sage: Aromatic herb that brightens and balances the entire dish.
How to Make Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the ground sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. The sausage’s natural juices will infuse lots of savory depth into this dish. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside to make room for the vegetables.
Step 2: Cook Butternut Squash and Onions
Turn the heat down to medium and add the remaining olive oil. Toss in the butternut squash cubes and thinly sliced red onion along with half the salt and all the pepper. These ingredients will soften and caramelize, creating a lovely golden color and sweet, mellow flavor. When the squash is tender and edges are lightly browned, add minced garlic, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Cook just until fragrant—this is where the magic of spices starts to build.
Step 3: Add Kale and Simmer
Next, toss the chopped kale into the skillet, pour in the chicken broth, and cover right away. This step steams the kale until it’s tender but still vibrant. Simmer gently for about four minutes to marry the flavors and soften the greens without losing their fresh bite.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles in Creamy Sauce
Now, stir in the frozen egg noodles and the half-and-half for that luscious creaminess. Cover again and let it simmer until the noodles are perfectly cooked and the kale has softened to your liking. Remember to stir once halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The noodles soak up all that wonderful broth, nutmeg, and cayenne flavor, making each forkful a dream.
Step 5: Combine All and Finish
Finally, remove the skillet from heat and fold the browned sausage back in, coating it lovingly with the creamy sauce and tender veggies. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh sage on top, stirring gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve immediately for maximum warmth and flavor impact.
How to Serve Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the serving experience, try topping your pasta with extra Parmesan cheese, a few fresh sage leaves, or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a scatter of toasted pine nuts adds a delightful finishing touch and a lovely contrasting texture.
Side Dishes
This Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon vinaigrette or a side of crusty garlic bread to scoop up every last bit of the creamy sauce. Roasted seasonal vegetables will complement the squash’s natural sweetness and add even more balance to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive family dinner, serve this pasta in rustic bowls garnished with fresh herbs and Parmesan curls. You can also twirl portions onto individual plates for a fine dining flair or bake the assembled pasta briefly with extra cheese on top for a gratin-style finish that turns this comfort meal into a crowd-pleasing baked casserole.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftover Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, making leftovers especially tasty.
Freezing
This pasta freezes well if you want to prepare it ahead of time. Cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that the texture of the squash and kale may soften after freezing, but the flavor will remain intact.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of broth or half-and-half to restore creaminess. Stir occasionally until heated through to keep the pasta from drying out or sticking.
FAQs
Can I use other types of sausage?
Absolutely! You can substitute pork sausage, spicy Italian sausage, or even a vegetarian sausage if you prefer. Just adjust the seasoning to balance the flavors.
Is it necessary to use half-and-half?
Half-and-half adds a lovely creamy texture, but you can use whole milk or a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk for a lighter or dairy-free option.
Can I substitute kale with another green?
Yes! Spinach, Swiss chard, or collard greens would work well. Just add them towards the end of cooking since they soften more quickly.
How spicy is the dish with cayenne?
The cayenne is very subtle here, adding warmth without heat. Feel free to reduce or omit it if you prefer a milder flavor.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free pasta noodles, this dish can be easily adapted to fit a gluten-free diet without sacrificing taste.
Final Thoughts
This Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe is one of those wonderful dishes that feels both cozy and elegant, quick enough for a weeknight but special enough to share anytime you want to brighten someone’s day. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do and find it quickly becoming a favorite go-to whenever butternut squash is in season.
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Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Butternut Squash Sausage Pasta combines tender butternut squash, savory turkey sausage, and nutritious kale in a creamy sauce, served over egg noodles. It’s a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken sausage (any flavor)
- 1 small butternut squash (about 1¼ pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 3½ cups)
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Liquids and Pasta
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup half-and-half
- 12 ounces frozen egg noodles
Greens and Garnish
- 1 medium bunch kale (about 8 ounces), stemmed and chopped (about 4 cups)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey or chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Squash and Onion: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Add the cubed butternut squash, thinly sliced red onion, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and golden brown. Then add the minced garlic, ground nutmeg, and cayenne pepper; cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Kale and Broth: Add the chopped kale to the skillet, pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, and cover immediately. Let it simmer for 4 minutes to allow the kale to soften and flavors to meld.
- Cook Noodles and Add Cream: Stir in the frozen egg noodles and half-and-half. Cover the skillet and simmer until the noodles are cooked through and the kale is tender, stirring once halfway through to prevent sticking. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked sausage. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh sage over the top. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground pork sausage if preferred.
- If you don’t have fresh sage, dried sage may be used but reduce quantity to 1 teaspoon.
- Frozen egg noodles can be replaced with fresh or dried noodles, but cooking time will vary.
- For a creamier texture, add an extra ¼ cup half-and-half or cream.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
