Creamy Rigatoni Butternut Sausage (Printable Version)

Rigatoni with butternut squash, spicy sausage, Swiss chard, and a rich creamy Parmesan sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Sausage

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 3 cups peeled and diced butternut squash
03 - 1 small red onion, diced
04 - 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed and chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Pasta & Sauce

09 - 8 ounces rigatoni
10 - 1/4 cup crème fraîche
11 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced butternut squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and beginning to soften, about 6 to 7 minutes.
02 - Add the diced red onion to the pan and sauté until softened, approximately 4 minutes. Incorporate the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned, about 3 minutes.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic, chopped Swiss chard, and red chili flakes. Cook until the chard wilts, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
05 - Add drained rigatoni to the sausage and vegetable mixture. Pour in reserved pasta water, crème fraîche, and grated Parmesan. Stir to coat thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Plate immediately and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One-pot meal
  • Freezer-friendly
02 -
  • Substitute sausage with spicy vegetarian sausage or soyrizo for a vegetarian version
  • Reserve extra pasta water to loosen the sauce if desired
  • Do not overcook the butternut squash as it should be just tender before combining
  • Pair this dish with a crisp Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied red wine
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor
  • Reserve pasta water carefully to control sauce consistency
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