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Hearty Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Recipe

Hearty Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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