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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the Italian sausage according to the package instructions, allowing it to cool for 3-4 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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