Decadent Butternut Squash Alfredo with Sausage and Crispy Kale

Fall is my favorite season. The leaves are so vibrant, it’s cozy, and the produce is almost as colorful as the leaves. With the weather finally dipping below 70, and the leaves beginning to reach peak color; it was time for some butternut squash!

Butternut squash has such a rich flavor, which makes it perfect for comforting dishes. For this recipe, I wanted something that was comforting for the colder weather, but didn’t skimp on the flavor! Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Butternut Squash Alfredo with Sausage and Crispy Kale
Serves: 6
Total time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 16 oz pasta, ½ c pasta water
• 4 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½” pieces
• 1 pt heavy cream
• ½ c parm
• ½ c grated Gouda
• 2 lbs mild Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1lb kale
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• ½ c chicken broth
• Mustard seed
• White pepper
• Rosemary
• Salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place your butternut squash in the microwave for 1-2 mins. This will help soften the skin, in order to peel.
2. Once your squash is peeled and cut into ½” pieces, toss in olive oil with mustard seed, white pepper, rosemary and salt. Once covered, place on a lined cookie sheet and back for 40-45 mins, or until soft. 
3. While the squash is baking, heat 1 tbs olive oil in a large pan and brown the sausage. Continue cooking until brown, and add kale. Remove from heat and set aside once the kale is crispy. 
4. Begin boiling water for your pasta. Cook al dente, and set aside reserving about 1 c pasta water.

5. In a separate pan, heat 1 tbs olive oil and add the garlic. Cook the garlic until fragrant. When the squash is soft, add to the garlic mixture and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Using an immersion blender, puree the squash mixture until smooth. Add pasta water as needed to thin the mixture into a smooth sauce. 
6. Once completely blended, fold in the shredded gouda and parmesan. Once incorporated, pour past into the sauce to combine. 
7. Top pasta with the sausage and kale, and sprinkle fresh parmesan to serve!