Savor Fall Flavors: Hearty One-Pan Sausage Pasta & Squash Delight

Delicious Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash – Easy to Cook! 🍁🍝

Introduction

Capturing the flavors of fall, this Delicious Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash recipe is a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for cool evenings and busy weeknights. The savory sausage pairs beautifully with tender squash, while a hint of sage and garlic brings all the seasonal flavors together. It’s a one-pan meal that’s satisfyingly rich—ideal for feeding a crowd or elevating your weekday dinner routine with minimal effort.

Why This Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash Will Be Your Go-To Fall Meal

This recipe is a crowd pleaser thanks to its incredible flavor and simplicity. Roasting the squash highlights its natural sweetness, which balances the savory, slightly spicy sausage. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh herbs, the pasta is both hearty and comforting. Plus, it cooks up quickly in just one skillet, making clean-up a breeze!

Getting the Best Flavor From Seasonal Squash

To maximize autumn’s bounty, choose butternut or delicata squash for their creamy texture and hint of sweetness. Roasting the squash caramelizes its edges, deepening the flavor. A quick sauté with garlic, onion, and sausage creates a rich base, while sage or thyme adds an earthy aroma that makes this dish especially inviting on chilly nights.

One-Pan Assembly: Less Mess, More Flavor

After roasting the squash and browning the sausage, everything comes together with cooked pasta and a generous ladle of starchy pasta water, which thickens the sauce and brings the flavors together. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if desired) for a finishing touch that makes every bite pop.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Autumn Feast

Serve your Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash with a crisp green salad tossed in apple cider vinaigrette, and a warm slice of rustic bread. For a complete autumn meal, pair with a glass of light red wine or sparkling apple cider. This beautiful, aromatic pasta makes an impressive dish for gatherings but is easy enough for any weeknight.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 generous portions. Each serving contains about 480–530 calories, depending on sausage type and cheese quantity. It’s packed with fiber and vitamins from the squash, plus protein from the sausage—making it a balanced and filling dinner.

Delicious Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash (Recap)

With the perfect autumn mix of sweet squash, savory sausage, and flavorful herbs, this pasta is equally impressive for company or cozy nights in. Fast prep, easy clean-up, and bold fall flavors make this a must-try dinner as soon as the leaves start to turn.

Ingredients

1 medium butternut or delicata squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Salt and black pepper, to taste
8 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh sage or thyme, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried)
8 oz short-cut pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: red pepper flakes and fresh parsley for garnish

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe in CookifyAI to instantly generate a categorized shopping list for all your autumn meals—making your grocery run smoother and your dinner prep faster.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
  2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle remaining olive oil. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in onion; cook 3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic and sage (or thyme), sautéing 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add roasted squash and cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in reserved pasta water, tossing everything together. Stir in Parmesan until creamy. Season with additional salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
  6. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a fantastic option for autumn meal prep and planning. Save and schedule it in CookifyAI to plan which night you’ll savor these flavors, while the app automatically creates efficient and organized shopping lists tailored to your weekly menu.

Planning Perks with CookifyAI:

  • Aggregates common ingredients across all selected recipes for accurate, efficient shopping
  • Sorts your grocery list by store aisle—no more wandering back and forth
  • Avoids overbuying by tracking totals and duplicates
  • Streamlines prep so you can focus on enjoying hearty autumn meals

Pro tip: When you add this and other seasonal recipes, CookifyAI combines ingredient quantities (like sage, onions, or cheese), resulting in smarter shopping and less waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Leave a Comment