Description
A heartwarming and creamy pasta dish featuring butternut squash and spicy Italian sausage, perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Rigatoni
- 1 Medium Butternut Squash, cubed
- 1 lb Spicy Italian Sausage, cut into pieces
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach (optional)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Fresh Herbs (Basil or Thyme)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the butternut squash: Slice in half, scoop out seeds, peel and cube.
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water, add rigatoni, and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add onions and garlic, and cook until translucent.
- Add the sausage: Cook until browned and cooked through.
- Incorporate the butternut squash and sauté until softened for about 8-10 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine rigatoni, ensuring every piece is well-coated in sauce.
- Add spinach, season with salt, pepper, and stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately garnished with more cheese and fresh herbs.
Notes
For variations, use penne or farfalle instead of rigatoni. You can also substitute butternut squash for pumpkin or sweet potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, butternut squash, spicy sausage, comfort food, family recipe