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Butternut Squash Pasta

Butternut Squash Pasta is the perfect fall pasta dish mixing sausage, roasted butternut squash and pasta topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and creamy butternut squash sage sauce. This is a comforting meal for those colder months! 

Butternut Squash Pasta in a white bowl

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

This Butternut Squash Pasta is hands down one of my favorite pasta dishes that I make in the fall along with this Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs. They are both so comforting and cozy as the weather starts to cool off.  I just adore the butternut squash paired with the sausage, pasta and the sage. There is just something about fall that I love, especially the food.

The nice thing about this pasta dish is that the leftovers almost taste better than the first day you make this dish. The flavors really soak into the pasta and the creamy sauce gets even better. Butternut squash is my go-to squash this time of year. I love the sweet flavor and use it in all kinds of recipes from this Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Apple Soup to this Butternut Squash Apple Bake to today’s Butternut Squash Pasta. 

Butternut Squash Pasta with Parmesan cheese

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS SQUASH PASTA DISH?

SQUASH: The butternut squash is the star of the show in this recipe. It is used in the actual dish with cubed butternut squash and then also is pureed in the sauce with a small amount of cream and Parmesan cheese. It brings a sweetness to the dish that can’t be beat. 

SAUSAGE: Ground sausage is a nice addition to the pasta and adds some protein. You can use mild or try spicy to take things up a level with the heat. You also can use ground pork in its place or even turkey. 

PASTA: I go for a medium sized pasta in this dish but any of your favorite will work. I used orecchiette in today’s pasta dish which is also one I use in this One Pot Kale Broccoli Chickpea Orrechiette

PARMESAN CHEESE: Parmesan cheese is used in the sauce of this dish and is also sprinkled on top of the finished dish. I love the saltiness it brings and how it helps to thicken up the sauce. 

CREAM: I added cream to the sauce to thicken it and create a rich sauce. You can make it healthier by using broth in its place but it won’t be as creamy. You can also try using a small amount of Greek yogurt to help thicken the sauce. 

FRESH HERBS: Fresh herbs always take a pasta dish to the next level. I used sage along with fresh Italian parsley. Feel free to add whatever herbs you like! 

Butternut Squash Pasta with fork

OTHER RECIPES THAT GO NICELY WITH THIS PASTA DISH

Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts: Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts is a quick and easy salad that is peppery, sweet and satisfying. Arugula is tossed with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese and finished off with a lemony, olive oil dressing. 

Easy Kale Lemon Salad: This easy kale salad features fresh veggies and a super simple homemade lemon dressing, making it perfect as a healthy side dish or light lunch! It is definitely one of my very favorite kale salad recipes!

Easy Yeast Bread: Easy Perfect Yeast Bread – Simple no fail yeast bread makes 2 delicious artisan loaves, no mixer required. These rustic loaves are amazing and perfect versatile loaf for dinner, sandwiches and more!

Green Beans with Toasted Almonds: Green Beans with Brown Butter and Toasted Almonds is a nice twist on traditional green beans.  The nutty flavor of the brown butter coats the freshly cooked green beans and is tossed with crunchy toasted almonds.

Butternut Squash Pasta in pan

Butternut Squash Pasta with sage

Creamy Sausage Butternut Squash Pasta

Yield: 6-8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Butternut Squash Pasta is a light fall pasta dish of sausage, roasted butternut squash and pasta topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and creamy butternut squash sage sauce.

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil, separated
  • 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced (about 1 pound)
  • 1 pound ground sausage, mild
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 pound orecchiette pasta (or pasta of your choice)
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (more or less for desired consistency)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional for a little spice)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Butternut Squash Sauce

  • 1/4 cup of the roasted butternut squash
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • 3 sage leaves
  • 1/4 cup pasta water, reserved
  • 1/4 cup cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat over to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl mix peeled/cubed butternut squash with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.
  2. Spread the squash on a non-stick baking sheet. Roast the butternut squash for 30 minutes, using tongs to stir the butternut squash a few times throughout cooking.
  3. While the butternut squash is cooking cook the pasta according to package. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and run under cold water. Put in the large mixing bowl once cooled.
  4. In a large skillet heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat and cook sausage, using a wooden spoon to break apart the sausage. When the sausage begins to brown add the garlic and continue to cook until the sausage is browned.
  5. Add the sausage mixture to the pasta in the large mixing bowl.
  6. Remove the butternut squash from the oven and set 1/4 cup of the squash aside. Put the rest of the squash with the sausage and pasta mixture.
  7. In a blender puree 1/4 cup of the butternut squash, the sage, garlic clove, parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and the 1/4 cup of the cream.
  8. Pour the butternut squash sauce over the pasta mixture and combine adding more reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
  9. Sprinkle crushed red pepper, the freshly grated parmesan and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh sage, Italian parsley and serve warm.

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Shahzad

Saturday 14th of October 2023

The combination of roasted butternut squash, savory sausage, and creamy sauce in this Butternut Squash Pasta is perfect for the fall season. It's a comforting and flavorful dish that I look forward to making as the weather cools down. Plus, the leftovers are even better the next day!

Julia

Saturday 14th of October 2023

So glad you enjoyed it! It is such a nice combination.

Polly

Sunday 4th of December 2022

Very good, great week night dinner. Next time I would double the amount of squash and add more sage. The sage flavor got kind of lost, even though I used 6 leaves instead of 3.

Julia

Monday 5th of December 2022

Thanks for letting me know! I am glad you liked it!

Renee - Kudos Kitchen

Monday 21st of September 2015

Butternut squash is my favorite thing about the fall, hands down. I especially love it roasted and paired with sage and sausage. Great recipe. Fall comfort food at it's finest.

BTW, I'm not trying to spam you here, but I love your blog logo. I paint food blogger logo aprons (I'm also a food blogger), and I think your design would look adorable on the front of a chefs apron. I'm running a 15% off sale from now until October 31st in my Etsy shop if you're interested. Please contact me if you'd like to tie one on. LOL

Carol at Wild Goose Tea

Monday 27th of October 2014

I didn't enjoy squash as a kid until I FINALLY tasted butternut squash. I love pork. This is a way to have it without making a pig of myself----pun intended. I like how the cheese is not melted too.

Julia

Monday 27th of October 2014

;) haha you are funny Carol! I agree--having the freshly grated parmesan that isn't melted is great!

Des @ Life's Ambrosia

Friday 24th of October 2014

I love the idea of a butternut squash sauce. I don't really cook with butternut squash much but that needs to chance this fall. :)

Julia

Sunday 26th of October 2014

Thanks Des! It is a really great sauce that is light but has great flavor. I hope you try it out!

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