Cozy Butternut Squash & Sausage (Printable)

A comforting baked dish featuring roasted squash, savory sausage, quinoa, and cheesy topping.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 3 cups baby spinach
05 - Fresh parsley, for garnish

→ Meats & Protein

06 - 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
07 - 1 cup cooked quinoa

→ Dairy

08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry & Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried sage
13 - 1 teaspoon paprika
14 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Liquids

15 - 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Increase heat slightly, add Italian sausage, and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking apart with a wooden spoon for 7-10 minutes.
05 - Add butternut squash to the skillet. Stir in dried thyme, dried sage, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash begins to soften.
06 - Add baby spinach and cooked quinoa, stirring until spinach wilts.
07 - Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11 - Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet before baking, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
  • The combination of sweet roasted squash and savory sausage creates this incredible balance that feels like a hug in food form
02 -
  • Do not skip the foil step in the beginning, or the squash will not fully cook through before the cheese burns
  • The casserole needs those 5 minutes of resting time, or it will be too loose and saucy when you scoop it
03 -
  • Cut your squash into uniform cubes so everything cooks at the same rate
  • Use already cooked quinoa from a batch you made earlier in the week to save time
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