Cozy Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Delight Recipe

Simmering with rustic charm, this butternut squash spinach and sausage penne delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Hearty Italian sausage mingles with sweet roasted butternut squash, creating a vibrant harmony of flavors.

Tender spinach leaves add a pop of green freshness to every forkful.

The pasta catches all the delicious sauce, making each bite irresistibly rich and satisfying.

Robust seasonings dance through the dish, promising a meal that feels both nourishing and indulgent.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this simple yet spectacular one-pot wonder.

Grab your skillet and get ready to savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 362 kcal

Servings: 7

Start With These for Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage: Rich, flavorful meat that adds a delightful savory punch to the dish, choosing mild variety ensures balanced spiciness and universal appeal.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy ingredient that creates silky texture and provides smooth, subtle dairy richness to enhance overall dish complexity.

• Barilla Penne, Frozen Butternut Squash, Frozen Spinach: Classic pasta shape that holds sauce beautifully, butternut squash offers sweet earthiness while spinach brings vibrant nutritional boost and gorgeous green color.

• Chicken Stock, Salt, Pepper: Liquid base that intensifies flavor depth, salt and pepper act as essential flavor enhancers bringing out natural tastes of other ingredients.

Prep Tool Needed for Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta in salted water.
• Colander: Perfect for draining cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large sauté pan: Ideal for combining and heating all ingredients together.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Necessary for slicing cooked sausage into bite-sized pieces.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt and pepper.

How You’ll Cook Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Sausage Preparation

Brown your favorite Italian sausage in a skillet until perfectly cooked. Let the sausage cool slightly, then slice into delectable bite-sized pieces.

• Pasta Foundation

Boil a pot of water with a generous pinch of salt. Cook penne until it reaches that perfect al dente texture with a slight bite. Drain and set aside.

• Veggie Medley

In a large pan, combine the cooked pasta with butternut squash and spinach. Pour in some chicken stock to create a silky base. Warm everything together, letting the ingredients dance and blend.

• Creamy Finale

Lower the heat and introduce creamy ricotta cheese. Gently fold in the sliced sausage, allowing the flavors to intertwine. Let the dish simmer softly, transforming into a harmonious comfort meal that whispers pure deliciousness.

Make It Better: Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Tweaks & Ideas

• Add roasted bell peppers, diced zucchini, or caramelized onions for extra nutrition and depth of flavor without complicating the recipe.
• Sprinkle sharp parmesan, crumble tangy goat cheese, or add creamy feta on top to elevate the dish's richness and provide contrasting textures.
• Prepare the entire recipe in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of chicken stock to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.

Best Ways to Plate Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty pasta dish.
• Garnish with Parmesan: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of savory flavor and creamy texture.
• Wine Companion: Complement the meal with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the sausage and cheese notes.
• Crusty Bread Option: Offer warm, crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.

Keep It Fresh: Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Storage Tips

• Maximize Meal Prep: Slice and cook sausage ahead of time, storing it in an airtight container for quick weeknight dinners.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping the pasta and ingredients fresh and tasty.
• Freeze with Ease: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers, maintaining quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Perfectly: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent drying out, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Hearty Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty butternut squash, spinach, & sausage penne delight combines rustic Italian flavors with seasonal ingredients. Savory sausage and sweet squash create a comforting meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) Barilla penne
• 19 oz (539 grams) Johnsonville mild Italian sausage links
• 10 oz (283 grams) frozen spinach leaves
• 12 oz (340 grams) frozen butternut squash
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken stock
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) ricotta cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Sausage Preparation: Cook Italian sausage according to package instructions, then slice into delectable bite-sized morsels after a brief cooling period.
2. Pasta Perfection: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil, add penne, and cook until achieving the ideal al dente texture. Drain completely and reserve.
3. Ingredient Symphony: In a spacious sauté pan over medium-low heat, combine cooked pasta, chicken stock, seasonings, butternut squash, and spinach. Gently stir to ensure even heating and prevent sticking, warming all components for approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Creamy Fusion: Reduce heat to lowest setting, introducing ricotta cheese and pre-sliced sausage. Fold ingredients carefully to create a harmonious blend, allowing flavors to intertwine during an 8-10 minute gentle simmer.

Notes

• Master Timing: Cook pasta precisely 9-11 minutes for perfect al dente texture, preventing mushy or undercooked noodles.
• Temperature Control: Use medium-low heat when combining ingredients to prevent burning and ensure gentle, even warming.
• Flavor Layering: Let the dish simmer 8-10 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
• Ingredient Prep: Cool sausage briefly before slicing to maintain its juicy texture and prevent crumbling during cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 362
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 578 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg