A spring-forward pasta with roasted butternut squash, Italian chicken sausage, and kale in a light garlic-parmesan finish. It uses produce that fits late March in Washington and avoids the lemon-asparagus profile of the pasta you passed on.
Details
Ingredients
- Butternut Squash 1 lb, peeled and 3/4-inch diced 1.49
- Organic Kale 1/2 lb, stems removed and chopped 3.00
- Simple Truth® Italian Chicken Sausage Links 12 OZ 2 links, sliced 5.99
- Jumbo Yellow Onions 1/2 medium, thinly sliced 0.99
- Garlic 3 cloves, minced 0.69
- Pasta 8 oz rigatoni, penne, or orecchiette
- Parmesan 1/3 cup grated
- Olive oil 2 tablespoons
- Butter 1 tablespoon
- Chicken broth 1/2 cup 1.79
- Red pepper flakes optional pinch
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss 1 pound diced butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until tender and browned at the edges.
- While the squash roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 ounces pasta until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sliced Italian chicken sausage links and cook 4 to 5 minutes until browned.
- Add 1/2 sliced yellow onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using; cook 30 seconds.
- Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1/2 pound chopped kale. Cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes until the kale wilts.
- Add the roasted butternut squash, cooked pasta, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/3 cup Parmesan. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce lightly coats the pasta.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Cook time: 40 minutes
Estimated cost: $12-15
Health notes: Comforting but balanced; good protein from chicken sausage and extra fiber from kale and squash.
Drink pairing: Pinot Gris