Roasted Butternut Squash & Sausage Skillet 🍂🥘
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The garden shifts when fall comes—colors deepen, flavors sweeten, and the air carries a crispness that makes us crave hearty meals. Butternut squash, with its golden flesh and earthy sweetness, becomes the star of this season. Pair it with sausage, kale, and a little Parmesan, and you have a one-pan skillet dinner that’s as cozy as pulling on your favorite sweater.
This recipe reminds me of evenings when the garden slows, yet still offers enough to fill the table with grace. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but warm and abundant enough to share when friends drop by.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💛
- One-skillet dinner = fewer dishes and full flavor
- Combines savory sausage with sweet, caramelized squash 🍠
- Easy to adapt with other garden greens or fall herbs
- Perfect for weeknight comfort or casual entertaining
Quick Reference Snapshot 📋
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Skill: Easy
- Equipment: Large oven-safe skillet (cast iron preferred), sharp knife, cutting board
- Dietary: Gluten-free if using GF sausage
Ingredients 🌿
(US + metric; swaps noted)
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs / 900 g), peeled, seeded, cubed ¾-inch
- 1 tbsp olive oil (15 mL)
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt (4 g), divided
- ½ tsp black pepper (1 g), divided
- 1 lb Italian sausage (450 g), casing removed (mild or spicy)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (150 g)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups chopped kale (90 g) (swap: spinach, chard, or arugula)
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 🌶️
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g) (swap: Pecorino Romano)
Optional Garnish
- Extra Parmesan
- Fresh parsley 🌿
Seasonal Swaps 🔄
- Squash: Substitute acorn, delicata, or pumpkin.
- Greens: Use mustard greens or collards if kale isn’t handy.
- Protein: Swap sausage for ground turkey or chicken, adding extra garlic + paprika.
- Cheese: Goat cheese or feta instead of Parmesan for a tangy twist.
From My Garden 🌿
This skillet makes the most of fall’s bounty: sweet squash, sturdy kale, and sprigs of thyme. The onions in my basket, harvested earlier in the summer, find their way in too—proof that each season feeds the next.
Step-by-Step Instructions 👩🍳
Prepare
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast 20–25 minutes, until tender and caramelized, stirring halfway.
Cook
- Meanwhile, in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, breaking into crumbles, until browned (7–8 minutes). Remove and set aside, leaving drippings in skillet.
- Add onion and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add kale and cook until just wilted (2–3 minutes).
Finish
- Stir roasted squash and sausage into skillet. Toss gently to combine. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan, then place skillet under broiler for 2–3 minutes until cheese melts and edges crisp.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions 🍽️
- Serve straight from the skillet with a loaf of warm bread or cornbread.
- Pair with a simple green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts.
- Sip with spiced apple cider or a light red wine like Pinot Noir. 🍷🍎
Storage & Make-Ahead 🥡
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water.
- Freeze portions (without cheese) for up to 2 months; reheat and add cheese before serving.
Final Thoughts ✨
Just as the garden gives in abundance, this skillet gathers it all into one dish—sweet, savory, hearty, and wholesome. May it remind you that even as seasons change, God’s goodness remains steady, filling your table and your heart. 💛
Community & Connection 🤝
- Instagram — Daily garden moments & behind-the-scenes; tag your skillet dinner so I can cheer you on! 🌿📸
- Subscribe — Fresh recipes, seasonal tips, and printable freebies delivered weekly. ✉️🍂
- Join FB Group — Ask questions, swap ideas, and share what’s growing with a kind, garden-loving community. 🌱🫶
Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours 🛒
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- Sturdy cast iron skillet 🥘
- Sheet pan + parchment paper
- Sharp chef’s knife & Y-peeler for squash 🔪
- Wooden spoon for sautéing
- Microplane zester for Parmesan
Related on Southern Soil Sunshine 🌻
- Fall Garden Stir-Fry with Kale and Arugula
- Tuscan White Bean and Kale Stew
- Mexican Sweet Potato Tacos with Cabbage Slaw + Cilantro Sauce
