Easy Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Recipe That Wows

Butternut squash refines ordinary pasta into a culinary masterpiece that dances with robust flavors and nutritional brilliance.

Bold ingredients merge in this hearty dish, promising a symphony of textures and tastes.

Hearty sausage provides a rich, meaty foundation that complements the sweet, earthy essence of roasted butternut squash.

Vibrant spinach adds a fresh, emerald-green dimension, creating visual appeal and nutritional depth.

The penne serves as a perfect canvas, capturing every nuanced flavor within its tender curves.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through seasonal ingredients and carefully balanced seasonings.

Mediterranean-inspired comfort meets rustic home cooking in this irresistible recipe that will become a family favorite.

How to Store Butternut Penne

• Veggie Power Bowl: Replace sausage with roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Add extra herbs like basil and oregano for enhanced flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean Magic: Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth and incorporate crumbled feta cheese. Include sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Spicy Harvest Remix: Use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild. Add red pepper flakes and swap ricotta with goat cheese for a bolder, zestier experience. Include roasted bell peppers for extra depth.
• Creamy Autumn Fusion: Introduce diced apples and sage during cooking. Replace ricotta with cream cheese and sprinkle toasted pecans on top for a rich, autumn-inspired meal.

Reasons to Make Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: Butternut squash brings a rich, creamy sweetness that transforms this pasta into a cozy autumn-inspired meal perfect for chilly evenings.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: This one-pan recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated preparation.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Blend: Packed with protein from sausage, greens from spinach, and vitamins from butternut squash, this dish offers a balanced and satisfying nutrition profile that keeps you full and energized.
• Flavor Fusion Mastery: The combination of mild Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and hearty vegetables creates a harmonious taste experience that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Everything You Need for Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne

• Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage: Classic Italian sausage with mild spices, perfect for adding robust flavor and protein to the dish.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy cheese that provides a smooth, rich texture and adds a subtle dairy richness.

• Barilla Penne: Classic Italian pasta shape with ridges that help capture sauce and other ingredients.
• Frozen Butternut Squash: Sweet and nutritious vegetable that adds a creamy texture and earthy flavor to the dish.
• Frozen Spinach: Nutrient-dense leafy green that provides color, texture, and additional nutritional value.

• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid that helps create a light sauce and enhances overall dish moisture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the flavors of all ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complexity to the overall dish flavor profile.

What Makes Butternut Penne Stand Out

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage

Cook Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage according to package instructions. Let the sausage cool for 4-5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add Barilla penne and cook until perfectly al dente, about 10-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Vegetable Base

• Cooked pasta
• Chicken stock
• Salt
• Pepper
• Frozen butternut squash
• Frozen spinach

Stir and cook for 4-5 minutes until all ingredients are thoroughly heated.

Step 4: Blend and Finish the Dish

• Ricotta cheese
• Sliced sausage

Mix everything carefully to ensure even distribution. Let the dish simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to mingle and create a mouthwatering meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serving Tip: For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh herbs on top before serving.

Key Ingredients in Butternut Penne

• Slice Sausage Strategically: Cut the Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution and consistent flavor in every forkful.
• Master Al Dente Pasta: Cook Barilla penne exactly 10-11 minutes for the perfect texture – soft yet slightly firm, preventing mushy pasta that can ruin the dish's overall appeal.
• Layer Flavors Gradually: Add ingredients like chicken stock, butternut squash, and spinach progressively to build depth and allow each component to integrate seamlessly.
• Stir with Purpose: Gently mix ingredients during cooking to prevent sticking and promote even heating, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
• Low and Slow Finale: Simmer the dish on low heat for 10-12 minutes, letting ricotta cheese melt and sausage blend, which intensifies the overall flavor profile and creates a creamy, cohesive meal.

Cooking Butternut Penne

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the pasta will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the container towards the back of the fridge where temperatures remain most consistent.
• Microwave Reheating: Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of chicken stock to prevent dryness. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Stovetop Restoration: Revive cold pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Sprinkle additional chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Gently stir the mixture for 4-5 minutes until heated thoroughly.

Helpful Tips for Butternut Penne

• Complement the Richness: Pair this hearty penne dish with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that cuts through the creamy ricotta and balances the savory sausage.
• Fresh Contrast Salad: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and cut through the dish's richness, providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Rustic Wine Selection: Choose a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complements the Italian sausage and stands up to the robust flavors of butternut squash and spinach.
• Herbal Garnish Boost: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top to enhance the dish's aromatics and add a fresh, vibrant layer to the comforting pasta.

Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Sausage Penne Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory butternut squash, spinach, and sausage penne creates a comforting Italian-inspired meal that blends hearty ingredients with seasonal warmth. Rich flavors and creamy textures invite you to savor each delicious forkful of this memorable pasta experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 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

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken stock
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) ricotta cheese

Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Italian sausage according to the package instructions, allowing it to cool for 3-4 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
2. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully add the penne pasta and cook until perfectly al dente, typically 9-11 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Select a spacious sauté pan and warm it over medium-low heat. Gently introduce the cooked pasta, chicken stock, seasoning, frozen butternut squash, and frozen spinach to the pan.
4. Stir the mixture periodically, ensuring even heating and preventing any ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until all components are thoroughly warmed.
5. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and fold in the ricotta cheese and previously sliced sausage. Blend the ingredients carefully to distribute them evenly throughout the dish.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This final stage helps the flavors meld together and creates a cohesive, creamy texture that brings all the ingredients into perfect harmony.

Notes

• Sausage Prep Tip: Slice the cooked Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage into bite-sized pieces after a short cooling period for even distribution and easier eating.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook Barilla penne al dente to maintain a slight firmness, ensuring the pasta doesn’t become mushy when mixed with other ingredients.
• Stock Secret: Using chicken stock adds extra flavor depth and helps create a creamy, cohesive sauce without excessive added fat.
• Veggie Convenience: Frozen butternut squash and spinach dramatically reduce prep time while maintaining nutritional value and providing a quick weeknight meal solution.
• Cheese Magic: Stirring in ricotta cheese creates a luxurious, creamy texture that binds all ingredients together, elevating the dish’s overall richness.
• One-Pan Wonder: This recipe minimizes cleanup by using a single sauté pan to combine and cook all ingredients, making it perfect for busy home cooks.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg