Description
This hearty Baked Butternut Squash, Spicy Sausage, and Spinach Pasta is a comforting one-dish meal combining tender butternut squash, savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and gooey melted cheese. Perfectly baked to golden bubbly perfection, it balances spicy and savory flavors with the sweetness of roasted squash, making it an ideal cozy dinner for family and friends.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound short cut pasta (like rotini)
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 ounce bag fresh spinach
Cheese
- 8 ounces freshly grated mozzarella or provolone cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short cut pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and place it in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Brown Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it apart with a wooden spoon, cooking until fully browned and crumbly. Transfer cooked sausage to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, cubed butternut squash, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Stir in dried sage and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the squash becomes tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the vegetables and cook until the spinach wilts, mixing well. Transfer the entire vegetable mixture to the baking dish with the cooked pasta. Toss together until fully combined.
- Add Cheese: Stir half of the grated mozzarella or provolone cheese directly into the pasta and vegetable mixture. Then mix in the quarter cup of parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the baked pasta from the oven and sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the top just before serving for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella or provolone for best melting results and flavor.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Ensure the pasta is drained well before mixing to prevent a watery bake.
