Indulge in a Symphony of Flavors: Orecchiette Pasta with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Italian Sausage
Welcome to a culinary journey where rustic Italian charm meets the vibrant flavors of autumn. This enticing Orecchiette Pasta dish is a masterpiece that combines the delicate sweetness of butternut squash, the earthy aroma of sage, and the savory richness of Italian sausage. As you embark on this taste adventure, you'll discover two tantalizing variations – a vegetarian delight and a meat-lovers' dream – each offering a unique symphony of flavors. So, prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience as we embark on this culinary escapade.
Recipe 1: Orecchiette Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sage (Vegetarian)
For those seeking a meatless marvel, this vegetarian rendition is a symphony of autumn's bounty. Roasted butternut squash, with its velvety texture and honeyed sweetness, takes center stage, while fresh sage leaves infuse every bite with their distinct earthy aroma. Crisp panko breadcrumbs add a delightful textural contrast, while creamy ricotta cheese lends a touch of richness.
Recipe 2: Orecchiette Pasta with Butternut Squash, Sage, and Italian Sausage
Meat enthusiasts, prepare to be enthralled by this carnivorous rendition. Succulent Italian sausage, browned to perfection, adds a savory depth to the dish, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The combination of sweet butternut squash, earthy sage, and spicy sausage is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Both variations are served atop a bed of al dente orecchiette pasta, its small ear-shaped shells perfectly capturing the creamy butternut squash sauce. Whether you prefer the vegetarian or meat-lovers' version, this dish promises a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
PASTA WITH SAUSAGE, SQUASH AND SAGE BROWN BUTTER
Whether you're after a night in with your special someone or your sweatpants, this is your pasta: a cozy combination of spicy sausage and squash that's glossed with nutty, sage-spiked butter and Parmesan. It's inspired by the cavatelli with sausage and browned sage butter at Frankies 457 Spuntino in Brooklyn - the most ordered dish on dates, according to the owners, but appealing no matter the occasion, according to us. The key to making the dish sing is the unsexy color (brown). You'll want to get a hard sear on the sausage and the squash, and let the butter bubble until brown and toasty. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, omit the sausage. The meat will be gone, but the comfort won't be.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, cook the sausage: In a sauté pan or skillet large enough to hold all the pasta, add the sausage and enough cold water to cover. Set over medium-high heat, then remove from the heat when the water hits a boil, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer the sausage to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch coins. Dry out the pan and return it to the stove.
- In the same pan, heat the olive oil over high until nearly smoking. Add the sausage and cook, flipping once, until dark brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the squash and a pinch of salt to the pan. Let cook, stirring briefly and scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
- While the squash is browning, add pasta to boiling water, and cook to al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta.
- When the squash is nicely browned, add the butter and sage and cook until the butter is golden, nutty smelling and foaming, just a minute or two, then immediately remove the pan from the heat and add back the sausage.
- Add the pasta to the pan and mix with the brown-butter sauce (if the pasta has cooled off quite a bit, return the pan to low heat while you combine everything). Stir in the cheese, then add pasta water as needed to smooth the sauce. Adjust with salt and pepper, and serve with extra Parmesan, if you like.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1073, UnsaturatedFat 33 grams, Carbohydrate 97 grams, Fat 62 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 25 grams, Sodium 842 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram
ORICHETTE PASTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAGE & ITALIAN SAUSAG
This is really amazing, colorful and oh so tasty! The combination of sweet squash combined with sage, sweet or spicy Italian sausage is incredible! The Orichette pasta, "Little lamb ears" is perfect for this dish. I cooked the squash and sausage ahead of time, and set aside. This worked well since everything is heated through before cooking. This recipe was passed along to me from a GF. She's been bragging on it for years. I finally made it and now wonder WTH took me so long! From: Traditional Home, Sept. 2006 Although this recipe states that it serves 6-8, I think it serves 4-6 as a main dish. Serve with a green salad and sautéed haricot verts, some crusty bread and you have a lovely meal! Oh, don't forget the vino :D
Provided by Chicagoland Chef du
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Boil water (salted) for pasta.
- Heat large skillet over med-high heat. Add olive oil; swirl to coat pan.
- Add squash and cook 5-6 minutes until browned and caramelized, tossing until all sides are browned. Transfer to bowl. *This can be done ahead of time.
- Add sausage to pan and cook until well browned. Drain. Return sausage to pan.
- Stir in garlic and crushed red pepper, if using, and cook 1 minute.
- Add white wine and simmer, uncovered, 1-2 minutes stirring constantly and scraping pan to loosen any brown bits. *This can be done ahead of time.
- As a time saver: At this point you can set the squash and sausage aside.
- Return squash to pan; add chicken broth and sage. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until squash is very tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add pasta to the boiling water for pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions. When al dente, drain well.
- Add pasta to squash & sausage mixture, then cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add paremesan, pepper , season to taste with salt. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 638.7, Fat 23.6, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 53.6, Sodium 1058.5, Carbohydrate 68.7, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 5.6, Protein 37.6
ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Seasonal Recipes Fall Recipes Butternut Squash Recipes
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add squash seeds and pulp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until seeds puff and turn golden, 10 minutes. Season with salt; transfer to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet; melt. Add sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 2 minutes. Transfer to another plate. Add squash flesh to skillet. Season with salt, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 minutes.
- Stir in pasta, 1/2 cup pasta water, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until pasta is evenly coated; season with salt. Top with squash pulp and seeds, sage leaves, ricotta, and poppy seeds. Drizzle with oil and serve.
ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, KALE, AND SAUSAGE
Orecchiette with butternut squash, kale, and sausage is a great dish to make if you're looking to step up your pasta game!
Categories weeknight meals dinner
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings. (If there's less than 2 tablespoons, add some olive oil.)
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the squash, toss to coat with the oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, the chili powder and some pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the squash is deep golden brown and just tender (but not falling apart), about 15 minutes. (Add a few tablespoons of water if the squash is getting too dark or dry before it's tender.) Remove to the bowl with the sausage.
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, which is usually a minute or two less than the box calls for. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat and add about half the kale and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing, until wilted, adding more kale as each batch wilts. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and toss. The whole process will take about 3 minutes. Some of the kale will be browned and some less cooked-that's fine!
- Add 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water to the pan, then the squash, sausage, pasta and a generous amount of pepper. Cook, carefully tossing with 2 big spoons to avoid mashing the squash, until well combined and the pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. If it seems dry, add more of the reserved cooking water. Top with shaved parmesan.
ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAUSAGE
This full-flavored pasta weeknight dinner is inspired by the classic combination of orecchiette and sausage with garlic and oil. Traditionally paired with broccoli rabe, this version uses butternut squash, which offers a sweet balance to the spicy kick of the sausage. It's then finished with fresh oregano and lots of grated Parmesan cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Combine the olive oil, garlic and sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the garlic and sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate, keeping all the oil in the skillet. Add the squash to the skillet; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is lightly browned and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the oregano.
- When you add the squash to the skillet, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain.
- Add the sausage and garlic, pasta and 1 cup cooking water to the skillet with the squash. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the pasta is well coated, about 1 minute. Add more of the remaining cooking water if the mixture seems dry; season with salt.
- Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the Parmesan and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and/or basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 650, Fat 34 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Cholesterol 41 milligrams, Sodium 736 milligrams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 19 grams, Sugar 3 grams
SAUSAGE ORECCHIETTE PASTA
I adapted this orecchiette pasta recipe to be like my favorite Italian restaurant version, only lighter-and tastier. I often use spicy sausage and broccoli rabe. -Melanie Tritten, Charlotte, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil; cook 1-2 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half., Stir in broccoli and tomatoes. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 4-6 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Drain pasta; add to skillet and toss to coat. Serve with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 571mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAUSAGE, SPINACH & MUSHROOM PASTA BAKE
Combine the sweet earthy flavour of butternut squash with sausage, spinach, mushrooms and sage in this hearty pasta bake. It takes a little effort but it's well worth it
Provided by Rosie Birkett
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 1h30m
Yield Serves 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 200C/180 fan/gas 6. Whisk together the vinegar and half the olive oil. Put the squash in a roasting tin and toss with the dressing, the chilli and seasoning. Squeeze the sausagemeat out of the skins, roll into small meatballs (you should have about 35). Arrange around the squash and roast for 35-40 mins, turning halfway, until the squash is tender and the meatballs are caramelised.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, until bubbling. Add the sage and allow to sizzle for a few minutes, or until crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with kitchen paper. By this point, the butter should have browned. Stir in the flour and cook for a few seconds, then gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously until you have a smooth sauce, about 7-10 mins. Add the nutmeg and some seasoning, stir in the parmesan until melted, then stir in the mustard.
- Oil a medium-sized baking dish. Cook the pasta following pack instructions until al dente, then drain and run under cold running water. Heat the remaining oil in a pan over a medium heat and fry the mushrooms with a pinch of salt for a few minutes, until softened and caramelised. Add the garlic, then the greens, stirring until the greens wilt, then add to the white sauce along with the squash, pasta and half the fried sage, adding up to 50ml milk or water if it's too thick.
- Pour into the baking dish, then add the meatballs. Scatter over the remaining sage, the reserved squash seeds, and grate over the extra parmesan. Roast for 25-30 mins, until golden and bubbling. Allow to settle for 10 mins before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 799 calories, Fat 39 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 80 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 1.3 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta. Orecchiette, with its distinctive ear-shaped design, is the perfect pasta for this dish as it holds the sauce well.
- Roast the butternut squash ahead of time. This will save you time when you're making the dish.
- Use fresh sage. The fresh flavor of sage really shines through in this dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the goal.
- Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese. This adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish.
Conclusion:
This orecchiette pasta with butternut squash, sage, and Italian sausage is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The roasted butternut squash adds a sweet and earthy flavor to the dish, while the sage and Italian sausage add a savory and herbaceous flavor. The orecchiette pasta holds the sauce well and the whole dish comes together in just 30 minutes. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this recipe a try.
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