Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Farro Bake

This hearty and comforting fall casserole is made with nutty farro, Italian sausage, creamy butternut squash, and two types of mozzarella cheese.

Italian Sausage and Butternut Squash Farro casserole

Winter is right around the corner but if I’m being honest, it has felt like winter for several weeks here in Michigan. Am I bummed about it? Not at all – bring on the hearty soups, warm fires, wool sweaters, and cozy comfort food!

Preparing the Cheese

In case you still need a little convincing to celebrate the season, I’m hoping this flavor-packed Italian Sausage and Butternut Squash Farro Bake does the trick. Filled with chewy, whole-grain farro, creamy butternut squash, large chunks of Italian sausage, and several types of gooey cheese, this one-pot dish will become a regular in your meal rotation.

Topping the Farro Bake with Cheese

While traditional casseroles are often lacking nutrients, I decided to revamp a classic by adding different wholesome ingredients that result in a well-balanced dinner. For example, instead of using enriched white pasta as a base, I use farro, an ancient whole grain.

Italian Sausage and Butternut Squash Farro Bake Recipe

Two types of mozzarella cheese provide protein and other important vitamins and minerals that help fuel the body and contribute to a well-balanced diet. These fresh, wholesome products aren’t hard to find—they’re right down the dairy aisle. Butternut squash adds even more nutrients to the dish including Vitamins C and E, folate, and niacin.

No sausage on hand? This dish is extremely versatile and works well with whatever protein you may have on hand such as shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover pork tenderloin, or ground turkey. If you don’t have butternut squash you can easily sub it out for sweet potatoes. Instead of mozzarella, try Colby jack, crumbled feta, or smoked mozzarella for added flavor.

Butternut Squash Farro Bake Recipe

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to make this dish your own by putting your own spin on it. That’s what makes cooking so enjoyable!

Your fork is waiting.

Butternut Squash Farro Bake Recipe

Italian Sausage and Butternut Squash Farro Bake

4.86 stars average
This hearty and comforting fall casserole is made with nutty farro, Italian sausage, creamy butternut squash and two types of mozzarella cheese.
PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 45 minutes
TOTAL: 1 hour 5 minutes
Pin
Servings: 6

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups cooked farro (prepared according to package instructions)
  • 4 links Italian turkey sausage (spicy or sweet)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 cups butternut squash (cubed)
  • 6 cups spinach
  • ½ cup roasted red peppers (thinly sliced)
  • 15 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella (thinly sliced)
  • parmesan cheese (optional garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and have a deep lasagna size baking dish ready.
  • Cook farro according to package instructions and place cooked farro in a large bowl; set aside.
  • Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage from casings and add to pan along with the garlic. Saute until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently. Using a slotted spoon, remove sausage from pan and place in the bowl with the reserved farro.
  • Add the butternut squash cubes to the hot pan and sauté in the remaining fat rendered from the sausage.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and sauté until squash becomes fork tender, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Stir in spinach during the last minute of cook time. Remove from heat and place cooked squash and wilted spinach to the bowl with the farro and sausage.
  • Return to the bowl with the farro mixture and stir in the fire roasted diced tomatoes, roasted red peppers and shredded mozzarella.
  • Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Spread mixture into the baking pan and top with fresh mozzarella slices.
  • Bake until warm and cheese is golden brown and bubbly, about 45 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese to serve if you wish.

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 41.1gProtein: 29.4gFat: 15.5gSaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 9.5gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 1126mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3.2g

Check out more healthy and easy dinner recipes on my Pinterest board!

28 thoughts on “Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Farro Bake”

  1. I was just looking around for a good farro and sausage recipe and this looks amazing. I’m going to try it this weekend. Question: if I were going to use both mozzarella and feta cheese for this, would you suggest putting the feta IN the mixture or would you put it on top (in place of the fresh mozzarella slices)? Thanks!

  2. I am keeping this tab open because it is exactly what I am looking to make!! So excited to try this, do you think subbing out Farro for cooked wild rice would work as well?

  3. A bit late to the party on this one … it popped up on Pinterest and just looks amazing. Question: do you think I could substitute sweet potatoes for the butternut squash? Given the COVID-19 situation, not sure I can find the squash, but I do have the sweets. Thanks!

  4. My kids dislike jarred roasted red peppers — too mushy I think. Would diced red pepper work? Would it need to be sauteed first?

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