Hearty Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage Recipe

Crafting a mouthwatering rigatoni with butternut squash and spicy sausage promises comfort and excitement in every single bite.

Pasta lovers seek hearty meals that spark conversation around the dinner table.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that warm your soul.

Robust sausage provides a spicy kick against sweet, creamy butternut squash.

Perfectly cooked rigatoni catches delicious sauce in its ridged curves.

Simple techniques bring complex tastes to life with minimal effort.

Savor each forkful and watch this dish become your new autumn favorite.

Why This Rigatoni Is a Comfort Food Dream

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: A hearty pasta dish that transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal, perfect for chilly evenings.
• Customize with Ease: Swap spicy sausage for mild versions or use vegetarian alternatives, making this recipe adaptable to different dietary preferences and family tastes.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimal cleanup with a cooking method that requires just a single skillet and baking sheet, reducing kitchen mess and saving precious time after meal preparation.
• Nutritious Flavor Explosion: Roasted butternut squash adds rich, caramelized sweetness while providing essential vitamins, creating a balanced and satisfying dinner that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

Everything You Need for Butternut Sausage Pasta

• Rigatoni Pasta: A hearty tube-shaped pasta that perfectly captures the rich sauce.
• Butternut Squash: A sweet and creamy vegetable that adds depth and autumn flavor to the dish.
• Spicy Sausage: Provides a bold and zesty protein element that complements the sweet squash.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic base ingredients that build a robust flavor foundation for the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the squash.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley: Bright herb that provides a fresh finishing touch to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps roast the butternut squash and adds a smooth richness.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Brings a luxurious, creamy texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth and helps thicken the sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

How to Make Rigatoni with Sweet Heat

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Squash

Fire up the oven to 400°F. Spread butternut squash pieces on a baking sheet.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper generously. Roast until squash turns golden and becomes tender, around 25-30 minutes.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in rigatoni and cook according to package directions.

Before draining, scoop out 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside.

Step 3: Brown Spicy Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium flame.

Crumble sausage into the pan, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Cook until beautifully browned and crispy.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatic Base

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until vegetables soften and release their fragrant aroma, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Build Flavor Foundation

Return sausage to the pan.

Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Pour chicken broth and let it simmer, creating a rich liquid base.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

Add roasted butternut squash and cream to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it bubble gently, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Fold cooked rigatoni into the skillet. Splash in reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency.

Stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top. Serve immediately while hot and bubbling.

Pasta Tips for Butternut & Spicy Sausage Bliss

• Roast butternut squash until caramelized edges develop for deeper, sweeter flavor and more complex taste profile.
• Reserve pasta water strategically to control sauce consistency and help pasta sauce cling perfectly to rigatoni.
• Remove sausage from pan temporarily while sautéing onions and garlic to prevent burning and maintain clean cooking technique.
• Choose spicy Italian sausage for extra kick, or swap with mild version for family-friendly meal; vegetarian option works by replacing sausage with plant-based alternative.
• Let sauce simmer slowly to allow flavors to blend seamlessly, creating rich and harmonious taste experience without rushing cooking process.

Cozy Combos for This Fall-Ready Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Harvest Bowl: Replace spicy sausage with roasted chickpeas, add kale, and use vegetable broth for a plant-based version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap sausage for lamb, incorporate feta cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend for a Middle Eastern-inspired transformation.
• Autumn Comfort Pasta: Substitute butternut squash with pumpkin, use sage instead of basil, include pancetta for depth, and finish with crispy sage leaves for extra texture.
• Creamy Goat Cheese Edition: Replace Parmesan with tangy goat cheese, add roasted pine nuts, include fresh thyme, and use white wine instead of chicken broth for a sophisticated palette.

What to Serve Alongside This Hearty Pasta

• Savor Sweet Wine Harmony: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Viognier or Gewürztraminer to complement the butternut squash's sweetness and balance the spicy sausage's heat.
• Craft Beer Companion: Choose an amber ale or Oktoberfest-style lager with malty undertones that enhance the roasted squash and cut through the rich, creamy sauce.
• Crisp Salad Side: Prepare a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, peppery contrast against the hearty pasta's robust flavors and add a light, zesty element to the meal.
• Perfect Bread Pairing: Select a rustic ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the creamy sauce, offering a delightful textural complement and additional carbohydrate enjoyment with the rigatoni dish.

Store Rigatoni Without Losing Creaminess

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odor absorption.
• Freezer Storage: Pack the pasta in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with the date and freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces as they might separate.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

All the Pasta Questions—Rigatoni Edition

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or any tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce well. The key is choosing a pasta with ridges or texture to catch the creamy sauce.

• Is there a substitute for butternut squash?

Absolutely! You can use other winter squashes like acorn squash or sweet potatoes. These alternatives provide similar sweetness and creamy texture to the dish.

• How spicy is this recipe with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount or omit them completely. For more heat, increase the quantity to suit your taste.

Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting rigatoni with butternut squash and spicy sausage brings rustic Italian warmth to your dinner table. Hearty pasta embraces sweet roasted squash and zesty sausage, creating a perfect balance of seasonal flavors you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 pound (454 grams) rigatoni pasta

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Liquids and Dairy:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

• Fresh basil or parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Distribute butternut squash cubes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until caramelized and tender.
2. Simultaneously, boil salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain pasta, preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid.
3. Heat a skillet over medium flame. Crumble sausage and cook until golden brown and fully rendered. Transfer to a separate plate.
4. Using the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Reintroduce sausage to the pan. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat and complexity. Pour chicken broth, allowing mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes.
6. Incorporate roasted butternut squash and cream into the skillet. Gently combine ingredients and let them meld together for 3-5 minutes, developing rich flavors.
7. Introduce cooked rigatoni to the sauce, using reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. Fold in Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Finish the dish with a generous garnish of fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

Notes

• Use butternut squash at peak ripeness for maximum sweetness and caramelization during roasting.
• Dice squash into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Select spicy Italian sausage for robust flavor, but can substitute with mild sausage for less heat-sensitive diners.
• Reserve pasta water strategically to create silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats rigatoni’s ridged surface.
• Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for vegetarian adaptation.
• Toast red pepper flakes briefly in skillet before adding other ingredients to release deeper, more complex spice profile.
• Allow sauce to simmer gently to prevent cream from separating and maintain smooth, luxurious consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg