Description
Butternut squash goat cheese pasta with sausage blends rustic Italian flavors into a comforting autumn dish. Rich seasonal ingredients create a harmonious balance of creamy goat cheese, savory sausage, and sweet roasted squash that satisfies complex palate preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 12 oz (340 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced (about 4 cups or 960 milliliters)
- 4 oz (115 grams) goat cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Fresh sage or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange a baking sheet for roasting butternut squash with thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roasting Squash: Distribute seasoned squash cubes in a single layer, ensuring space between pieces for even caramelization. Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform tenderness.
- Pasta Cooking: Simultaneously boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve one cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Sausage Base: Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking into uniform crumbles. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly to release aromatic qualities.
- Sauce Development: Combine roasted butternut squash and chicken broth with sausage, gently mashing some squash to create a rich, creamy texture. Integrate cooked pasta, using reserved water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Cheese Incorporation: Fold in goat cheese and Parmesan, stirring until they melt into a smooth, velvety sauce. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Final Touch: Garnish with fresh parsley or sage for vibrant color and herbaceous flavor. Serve immediately, optionally sprinkling extra Parmesan on top for added richness.
Notes
- Customize Roasting Technique: Ensure butternut squash cubes are uniformly sized for even caramelization and prevent burning, creating a perfect golden-brown exterior with soft interior.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, clingy sauce that helps cheese melt smoothly and binds ingredients perfectly without drying out.
- Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, flavorful sausage with moderate fat content to enhance overall dish richness and prevent greasiness while delivering deep, robust taste.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Allow goat cheese and Parmesan to gently melt off heat to maintain creamy texture and prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating during final mixing stage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg