Autumn flavours come together in this easy weeknight meal that is pure comfort and absolutely delicious. Sauté the butternut squash and sausage in a skillet on the stovetop for a convenient and tasty meal, ready in 30 minutes.
Love this time of the year when the local markets and grocery stores are filled with beautiful winter squash. I make every effort to add them to my meals. Butternut squash is so versatile and so healthy and for this recipe, instead of roasting the squash, I pan seared it on the stove top creating crispy edges and perfectly flavourful recipe.
For this recipe, I added a local honey garlic turkey sausage from Hayters turkey farm. I removed the casing which allowed the flavour of the sausage to release and to be enjoyed in every bite. Keeping this dish simple and easy for a weekday meal, I added spinach, onion and Parmesan cheese (vegan option can always be substituted). The flavours are absolutely delicious without adding any cream!
INGREDIENTS
Extra virgin olive oil: recommend using a good quality evoo
Butternut Squash: I love cooking with this winter squash, it is so versatile and cooks perfectly on the stove top
Sea salt: I like to use a fine Himalayan sea salt
Pasta: I used fiorelli for it;s unique shape and it works really well with this dish. Other pasta options are fusilli, farfalle or orecchiette
Onion: is cooked to a golden colour that offers a sweet caramelized flavour
Sausage: the honey garlic turkey is an excellent choice for this recipe, a hint of sweetness and rich in garlic works really well with the butternut squash
Spinach: I like to add a couple of handfuls for added nutrients
Parmesan cheese: adds a little creaminess to this dish
Parsley: adds freshness
SO NUTRITIOUS
As we know it, butternut squash is used as a vegetable but it is technically a fruit. It is packed with vitamins, fiber, minerals and antioxidants! It is low in calories and high in Vitamin A, beta carotene which is essential for eye and bone health and our immune function. This rich fruit lowers the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. There has been studies to support the benefits of mental decline. I am only giving you a brief outline, but the benefits to eating this wonderful fruit is so needed in our diets to protect and prevent future illnesses.
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butternut squash, spreading throughout the pan. Cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy and flip halfway through, total of about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
While squash is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt then add the pasta. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package, until al dente and drain. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add sausage. Breaking the sausage into bite size pieces, cook on medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes, then add onions. Cook the onions until they are golden and starting to caramelized and sausage is crispy. Add the spinach with the 3/4 cup of the reserved water and simmer 1-2 minutes then add the pasta and Parmesan cheese and toss until well combined. If pasta is too dry, add the remaining reserved pasta water. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE
When you combine butternut squash pasta and honey garlic sausage it becomes one of those recipes that is pure comfort and so delicious. It is rich in protein, fiber, calcium and Vitamin A just to name a few. A perfect autumn meal that is ready in 30 minutes!
This Butternut Squash pasta and Honey Garlic recipe is a winning dish! Without any cream added to this recipe, the vegetable broth, along with the rich and flavourfull ingredients, you don’t miss it! Garnish with parsley, serve immediately and enjoy!
STORE
Store this recipe in the refrigertor in an container with a lid for 3-4 days. To freeze this dish, place in a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
WHEN YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND RATING. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK. Thank you, Rose 🙂
Butternut Squash Pasta with Honey Garlic Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butternut squash, spreading throughout the pan. Cook for 4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy and flip halfway through, total of about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- While squash is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt then add the pasta. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package, until al dente and drain. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add sausage. Breaking the sausage into bite size pieces, cook on medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes, then add onions. Cook the onions until they are golden and starting to caramelized and sausage is crispy. Add the spinach with the 3/4 cup of the reserved water and simmer 1-2 minutes then add the pasta and Parmesan cheese and toss until well combined. If pasta is too dry, add the remaining reserved pasta water. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish with parsley. Serving immediately and enjoy!