Sheet Pan Sausage and Delicata Squash
This Sheet Pan Sausage and Delicata Squash recipe is an easy, cozy one-pan dinner featuring savory roasted sausage, naturally sweet delicata squash, red onion, garlic, and fresh herbs. The squash develops beautifully caramelized edges in the oven while the sausage becomes browned and flavorful.With just 15 minutes of prep and about 30–35 minutes in the oven, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights and relaxed fall dinners. It's also easy to customize with Brussels sprouts, apples, bell peppers, Parmesan, feta, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds delicata squash about 2 medium squash
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or spicy
- 1 medium red onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare the delicata squash.
- Wash and dry the squash. Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and stringy center. Since delicata squash has edible skin, there is no need to peel it. Slice the squash into approximately ½-inch-thick half-moons.
Season the vegetables.
- Place the squash and sliced red onion in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Prepare the sausage.
- Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces. If using sausage links, remove the casing if necessary before cutting.
Arrange everything on the sheet pan.
- Spread the squash, onion, and sausage evenly across the prepared sheet pan. Keep the ingredients in a single layer and leave some space between them. This helps the vegetables roast and caramelize instead of steaming.
Roast.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and roast for approximately 30–35 minutes, turning or tossing the ingredients halfway through.
Check the sausage.
- If using raw pork or other ground-meat sausage, cook it to an internal temperature of 160°F. Raw chicken or turkey sausage should reach 165°F. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness.
Finish the dish.
- Once the squash is tender and caramelized and the sausage is cooked through, remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and Parmesan, if using.
Serve.
- Serve immediately while the sausage is hot and the squash is tender. A simple green salad or crusty bread makes an excellent accompaniment.