Creamy Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage
A comforting dish featuring rigatoni pasta, creamy sauce, roasted butternut squash, and spicy Italian sausage, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingrédients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
Sauce and Garnish
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all the ingredients you'll need for the recipe, including peeling and cubing the butternut squash, mincing the garlic, and preparing the sausage.
Roasting Butternut Squash
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread it on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rigatoni.
Cooking Sausage
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
Adding Garlic and Spices
- Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Making Cream Sauce
- Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring well. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until it's slightly thickened.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the roasted butternut squash and cooked rigatoni to the creamy sauce, tossing everything together and using reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
Finishing Touches
- Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
- Plate the dish and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
This dish is perfect for various occasions. Serve it with a light salad, crusty bread, or a refreshing drink. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.