Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash

Featured in: Seasonal Favorites

This comforting autumn dish features tender bow tie pasta tossed with smoky sausage, caramelized butternut squash, and crispy Brussels sprouts. Roasted vegetables add a natural sweetness that blends perfectly with a savory garlic butter sauce and smoked paprika. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy one-skillet meal ideal for chilly evenings. Fresh thyme garnish adds a fragrant finish. Perfect for celebrating fall’s best flavors.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:49:00 GMT
Golden autumn sausage pasta squash with roasted vegetables and perfectly cooked bow tie pasta. Save
Golden autumn sausage pasta squash with roasted vegetables and perfectly cooked bow tie pasta. | tastyeffect.com

A cozy, flavorful one-skillet meal featuring bow tie pasta tossed with smoked sausage, roasted butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts in a rich garlic butter sauce—a perfect celebration of fall's best ingredients.

This recipe quickly became a fall favorite in my household thanks to its ease and delicious flavors.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 3 cups butternut squash peeled seeded cubed, 1 tbsp olive oil (for butternut squash), salt and pepper to taste (for butternut squash), 340 g Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved, 2 tbsp olive oil (for Brussels sprouts), salt and pepper to taste (for Brussels sprouts)
  • Pasta: 225 g bow tie pasta (farfalle)
  • Proteins: 340 g cooked smoked sausage (Cajun andouille or regular) sliced into coins
  • Sauce & Seasoning: 1 tbsp olive oil (for pasta dish), 5 cloves garlic minced, 2 tbsp butter, salt and pepper to taste (for pasta dish), ¼ tsp smoked paprika, fresh thyme leaves for garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200℃ (400℉). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Toss the cubed butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper. Spread on one baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes or until tender and lightly caramelized.
Step 3:
Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with 2 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper. Spread on the second baking sheet and roast for 20–30 minutes stirring halfway until crispy and browned.
Step 4:
Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
Step 5:
In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned on both sides about 5–7 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
Step 6:
In the same skillet add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant about 1 minute. Add the butter and let it melt.
Step 7:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet tossing to coat in the garlic butter. Season with salt pepper and smoked paprika. If needed add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
Step 8:
Add roasted butternut squash Brussels sprouts browned sausage and fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Gently mix until everything is well combined and heated through.
Step 9:
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm garnished with extra thyme if desired.
A warm bowl of autumn sausage pasta squash with a rich, buttery sauce and fresh thyme garnish. Save
A warm bowl of autumn sausage pasta squash with a rich, buttery sauce and fresh thyme garnish. | tastyeffect.com

My family especially enjoys gathering around this meal as it captures the essence of autumn perfectly.

Notes

Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness. Pair with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red such as Pinot Noir.

Required Tools

Large pot, 2 baking sheets, parchment paper, large skillet, sharp knife, cutting board, colander, wooden spoon or spatula

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (pasta) and dairy (butter). Sausage may contain additional allergens (soy milk or gluten) check ingredient labels if sensitive. For gluten-free use gluten-free pasta and confirm sausage is gluten-free.

Close-up of hearty autumn sausage pasta squash, a delicious one-skillet American fall recipe. Save
Close-up of hearty autumn sausage pasta squash, a delicious one-skillet American fall recipe. | tastyeffect.com

This meal is a simple way to enjoy seasonal flavors with minimal cleanup.

Recipe FAQ

How do you roast butternut squash for this dish?

Cube the peeled squash, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, while bow tie pasta is traditional here, other shapes like penne or fusilli work well to hold the sauce and mix with ingredients.

What type of smoked sausage is best?

Cajun, andouille, or regular smoked sausage all add a smoky, savory flavor that complements the roasted vegetables perfectly.

How do I keep the sauce creamy without cream?

Butter and garlic create a rich base, while reserved pasta water helps loosen and coat the pasta, creating a silky texture naturally.

Are there good vegetarian alternatives?

Omitting sausage or swapping with plant-based sausage keeps the hearty texture while focusing on the vegetables and pasta flavors.

What wine pairs well with this dish?

A crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red such as Pinot Noir balances the rich, smoky flavors nicely.

Autumn Sausage Pasta Squash

Bow tie pasta combined with smoked sausage, roasted butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts in a rich garlic butter sauce.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
40 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created by Jane Miller


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Dietary requirements None specified

Components

Vegetables

01 3 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cubed (approx. 1.5 lbs)
02 1 tablespoon olive oil (for butternut squash)
03 Salt and pepper, to taste (for butternut squash)
04 12 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
05 2 tablespoons olive oil (for Brussels sprouts)
06 Salt and pepper, to taste (for Brussels sprouts)

Pasta

01 8 ounces bow tie pasta (farfalle)

Proteins

01 12 ounces cooked smoked sausage (Cajun, andouille, or regular), sliced into coins

Sauce & Seasoning

01 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta dish)
02 5 cloves garlic, minced
03 2 tablespoons butter
04 Salt and pepper, to taste (for pasta dish)
05 ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

Directions

Phase 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Roast Butternut Squash: Toss cubed butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on one baking sheet and roast for 15 to 20 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.

Phase 03

Roast Brussels Sprouts: Toss halved Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on the second baking sheet and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crispy and browned.

Phase 04

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

Phase 05

Brown Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Phase 06

Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add butter and melt completely.

Phase 07

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat with garlic butter. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce.

Phase 08

Incorporate Roasted Vegetables and Sausage: Add roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, browned sausage, and fresh thyme leaves to the skillet. Gently mix until well combined and heated through.

Phase 09

Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with additional thyme if desired.

Necessary tools

  • Large pot
  • Two baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Large skillet
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (pasta) and dairy (butter).
  • Sausage may contain soy, milk, or gluten; verify labels if sensitive.
  • For gluten-free preparation, use gluten-free pasta and confirm sausage is gluten-free.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 550
  • Fats: 29 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Proteins: 21 g