Pasta with Brussels Sprouts and Squash

This simple fall inspired Pasta with Brussels Sprouts and Squash is ready in minutes with a blend of rotisserie chicken, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and penne pasta. It's comforting, delicious and perfect for any day of the week. 

If you're craving another recipe that uses brussels, then try making a batch of Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts made with bacon and maple syrup. 

The fall season is in full swing and that means bringing on all the comfort food recipes with the flavors of the season. 

More soups, casseroles, and of course pasta. For me that especially means pasta and I have the perfect quick and easy recipe to share with you today. 

This pasta recipe combines tender butternut squash, crispy brussels sprouts, rotisserie chicken, ground nutmeg and sage with penne pasta for a pasta that is full of flavor, hearty, cozy and filling. 

The best part is the vegetables are cut into small pieces and all of the ingredients are cooked at a high heat to be ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. 

Let's get started!

What Ingredients Are Needed For This Easy Pasta Recipe?

1. Olive Oil - Use to saute the onion and garlic to soften them. May substitute with any neutral oil that you prefer. 
2. Onion - White or yellow onion works well. Dice it into small even pieces to add aromatic flavor. Avoid red onion for this particular recipe. 
3. Garlic - Minced fresh garlic works best, you will need three whole cloves for the recipe. 
4. Ground Sage (Rubbed Sage) - Gives the pasta a nice woodsy and slightly sweet seasoning flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients. 
5. Ground Nutmeg - The star ingredient to the dish that really adds a nutty fall flavor that really makes a difference in this savory dish. 
6. Butternut Squash - Fresh diced butternut squash adds a hearty and nutty starch that brings the pasta together. Cutting the squash into small-sized pieces allows it to cook evenly and quickly. 
7. Brussels Sprouts - A great leafy vegetable addition that adds an earthly and slightly bitter flavor to the pasta dish. 
8. Chicken Broth - Helps to cook the pasta and give it a savory flavor. If you prefer to use veggie broth or chicken stock, you may substitute them in the same unit of measure instead. 
9. Penne Pasta - You may opt to use any short pasta that you prefer. Penne, rotini, and orecchiette pasta are all great options for this pasta recipe. Cook the pasta first and reserve some of the pasta water in case you need it later. 
10. Rotisserie Chicken - This makes the recipe a little easier, simply cut and shred the rotisserie chicken into smaller pieces. If you prefer to cook your own chicken and shred it yourself, then you can do that instead.
11. Parmesan Cheese - Adds saltiness and helps to finish off the pasta.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How To Make This Fall Inspired Pasta Recipe

Begin the recipe by cutting and shredding up the rotisserie chicken and cooking the penne pasta al dente. Drain the pasta, but reserve some of the pasta water for later. 

Add a large dry skillet to the stovetop over high heat. Once the pan is heated add in the olive oil. After the olive oil has heated thoroughly, add the onion and garlic, stirring often. When the onion has softened and become translucent and the garlic is fragrant, add in the ground sage, ground nutmeg, salt, and ground black pepper.

Add the butternut squash and brussel sprouts. Continue cooking over high heat, stirring constantly until the vegetables begin to soften, for about 5 minutes.

Adjust the flame to medium heat and slowly pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine, continue cooking for 3-4 minutes.

Next, add the rotisserie chicken and cooked pasta. If you need more liquid at this point add in the reserved cup of the pasta water if you find that you need more cooking liquid. Stir to fully combine.

Serve the pasta while it is still warm topped with some grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Pasta Recipe

1. Cut the fresh butternut squash into ½-inch pieces, If you prefer to use precut butternut squash, feel free to use that as well to make the process go faster. 
2. Cut the brussels sprouts into quarter pieces so they evenly cook along with the butternut squash. 
3. Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of salted water. Once finished drain off the water and reserve a little bit of the pasta water. 
4. Use rotisserie chicken or omit it and use vegetable broth for a meatless pasta option. 
5. Top the finished pasta with grated Parmesan cheese or plain goat cheese for an additional layer of flavor.
6. Before serving the pasta, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or some lemon juice or lemon zest for an additional hint of acid. 

​Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

When ready to reheat, add it to a large skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Add some additional chicken broth or water if needed. You may also heat it in the microwave oven if you're short on time. 

Need More Simple Pasta Recipes? Try These:

• Easy Lasagna Recipe
• Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta 
• One Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese 
• Warm Pasta Salad 
• Quick Pasta Toss
• Easy Tomato Basil Pasta
• Lemon Pasta Salad 

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to use this Butternut Squash Pasta? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 11/06/2020. Updated 10/03/2023.