This Butternut Squash Pasta Bake is a cheesy, comforting casserole with roasted squash, sausage, and caramelized onions baked until golden and bubbly.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword baked pasta with butternut squash, butternut squash casserole, Butternut Squash Pasta Bake, cheesy pasta bake, fall pasta recipes, pasta bake with sausage
1poundcavatapi pastacooked according to directions (I used cavatapi)
1poundhot italian sausagecrumbled and cooked
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.Combine squash, ½ tablespoon oil, sage, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a large bowl; toss to coat. Arrange squash mixture on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until squash is tender. While squash is roasting, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to stock pot.
Heat remaining oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté for 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; continue cooking for 20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Place onion in a bowl.
Heat 2 ½ cups milk, and thyme in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes. Discard thyme. Return pan to medium heat. Combine remaining ½ cup milk and flour in a small bowl. Add to pan, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in teaspoon salt, cheese, and nutmeg.
Add spinach and hot sausage to cooked pasta. Pour cheese sauce over top of pasta mixture and stir to coat.
Place pasta in a large casserole and sprinkle with Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.