Sheet-Pan Sausage Squash & Apples Easy Dinner Delight

September 25, 2025 by Natalie

Looking for a quick and tasty dinner? Try my Sheet-Pan Sausage, Squash, and Apples recipe! This dish brings together savory chicken sausage, sweet apples, and hearty butternut squash. It’s easy to make and perfect for any weeknight meal. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you’ll have a delicious dinner ready in no time. Let’s dive into this easy dinner delight!

Ingredients

To make Sheet-Pan Sausage, Squash, and Apples, you need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb Italian chicken sausage, sliced
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 medium apples, cored and sliced (preferably Fuji or Honeycrisp)
1 red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish

Each ingredient plays a key role. The Italian chicken sausage adds rich flavor and protein. The butternut squash brings a warm sweetness and a nice texture. Apples, especially Fuji or Honeycrisp, add a crisp and juicy bite. Red onion adds depth with its sweet and savory notes. Olive oil helps everything roast nicely, while cinnamon and thyme give a warm aroma. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Honey can add a touch of sweetness, but it’s optional. Finally, the parsley adds a bright finish to your dish.

Gather these ingredients and you are ready to create a delicious meal!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven

First, set your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat helps cook the food quickly and evenly. It also ensures the sausage gets nice and crispy.

Prepare the Ingredients

Next, gather your ingredients. You need:

1 lb Italian chicken sausage, sliced
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 medium apples, cored and sliced
1 red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish

Make sure to peel and cube the squash. Slice the apples and onion, too. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference in taste.

Combine and Toss

In a large bowl, add the cubed squash, sliced apples, sliced onion, and sausage. Drizzle the olive oil over them. Add the ground cinnamon, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. If you like your dish sweet, add honey. Toss everything together well. Ensure each piece is coated in oil and spices.

Roast the Mixture

Spread the mixture evenly on a large sheet pan. Leave space between the pieces. This step is key; it helps everything roast evenly. Place the pan in your preheated oven. Roast for 25-30 minutes. Stir halfway through for even cooking. The squash should be tender, and the sausage should be browned.

Rest and Garnish

After cooking, take the pan out of the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes. This rest time allows the juices to settle. Finally, sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving. This adds a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Choosing the Best Apples

When picking apples, I like Fuji or Honeycrisp. These apples add sweet and tart flavors. Their firmness holds up well during roasting. You want apples that won’t turn mushy. Always check for freshness. A firm apple means better taste in your dish.

The Importance of Evenly Spacing Ingredients

Spacing out the ingredients on your sheet pan is key. If they touch, they steam instead of roast. This makes a big difference in taste and texture. Aim for even layers. Give each piece room to brown. This will give you a nice crunch and flavor.

How to Achieve Crispy Sausage

To get crispy sausage, start with a hot oven. Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Cut your sausage into even slices. This helps them cook evenly. Spread them out well on the pan. Stir halfway through cooking. This ensures that every bit gets that lovely crisp.

Variations

Alternative Sausage Options

You can switch up the sausage for a new taste. Try turkey sausage for a lighter meal. If you love spice, go for chorizo. It adds a nice kick to the mix. You can also use plant-based sausage if you prefer a meat-free option. Each type of sausage brings its own flavor, so feel free to experiment!

Adding Additional Vegetables

You can add more veggies to boost nutrition and flavor. Carrots or bell peppers work well. Just chop them into even pieces. You can also use Brussels sprouts for a hearty touch. Just remember to cut them in half for even cooking. Mix and match your favorites for a colorful dish.

Spice Variations and Flavor Enhancements

Do you want to make it more exciting? Try adding some smoked paprika for a warm flavor. A pinch of cayenne pepper can give it a nice heat. If you love herbs, add rosemary or oregano for freshness. You can also sprinkle some garlic powder for extra depth. Get creative and make it your own!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To keep your leftovers fresh, start by letting them cool. Use an airtight container. Place the cooled sausage, squash, and apples inside. Store them in the fridge. They will stay good for up to three days.

Reheating Tips

When you are ready to eat, take the leftovers out of the fridge. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Spread the mixture on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.

Freezing Instructions

If you want to store the dish for longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container. You can also use freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the container with the date. The dish can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use other types of squash?

Yes, you can use other squash. Zucchini, acorn, or spaghetti squash work well. Each type brings a unique flavor and texture. Just remember to adjust cooking time if needed. For example, zucchini cooks faster than butternut squash.

How long will leftovers last in the fridge?

Leftovers can stay fresh for up to four days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container for best results. When reheating, ensure the dish is heated thoroughly. This helps keep the flavors intact and safe to eat.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Italian chicken sausage is often free of gluten. Just check the label to be sure. All other ingredients are also gluten-free, making this a great option for gluten-sensitive diets.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can prep this dish in advance. Chop the squash, apples, and onion ahead of time. Store them in the fridge until ready to cook. This makes for a quick dinner on busy nights. Just remember to add the sausage later to keep it fresh.

This recipe combines Italian sausage, butternut squash, and apples for a tasty meal. Each step, from chopping to roasting, is clear and easy to follow. You can customize it with other veggies or spices, too. Store leftovers for future enjoyment, and don’t worry—it’s gluten-free!

Try this dish, and let your taste buds enjoy the flavors. Happy cooking!

$To make Sheet-Pan Sausage, Squash, and Apples, you need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, sliced - 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed - 2 medium apples, cored and sliced (preferably Fuji or Honeycrisp) - 1 red onion, sliced - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons honey (optional) - Fresh parsley for garnish Each ingredient plays a key role. The Italian chicken sausage adds rich flavor and protein. The butternut squash brings a warm sweetness and a nice texture. Apples, especially Fuji or Honeycrisp, add a crisp and juicy bite. Red onion adds depth with its sweet and savory notes. Olive oil helps everything roast nicely, while cinnamon and thyme give a warm aroma. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Honey can add a touch of sweetness, but it’s optional. Finally, the parsley adds a bright finish to your dish. Gather these ingredients and you are ready to create a delicious meal! First, set your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat helps cook the food quickly and evenly. It also ensures the sausage gets nice and crispy. Next, gather your ingredients. You need: - 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, sliced - 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed - 2 medium apples, cored and sliced - 1 red onion, sliced - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons honey (optional) - Fresh parsley for garnish Make sure to peel and cube the squash. Slice the apples and onion, too. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference in taste. In a large bowl, add the cubed squash, sliced apples, sliced onion, and sausage. Drizzle the olive oil over them. Add the ground cinnamon, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. If you like your dish sweet, add honey. Toss everything together well. Ensure each piece is coated in oil and spices. Spread the mixture evenly on a large sheet pan. Leave space between the pieces. This step is key; it helps everything roast evenly. Place the pan in your preheated oven. Roast for 25-30 minutes. Stir halfway through for even cooking. The squash should be tender, and the sausage should be browned. After cooking, take the pan out of the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes. This rest time allows the juices to settle. Finally, sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving. This adds a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your meal! When picking apples, I like Fuji or Honeycrisp. These apples add sweet and tart flavors. Their firmness holds up well during roasting. You want apples that won’t turn mushy. Always check for freshness. A firm apple means better taste in your dish. Spacing out the ingredients on your sheet pan is key. If they touch, they steam instead of roast. This makes a big difference in taste and texture. Aim for even layers. Give each piece room to brown. This will give you a nice crunch and flavor. To get crispy sausage, start with a hot oven. Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Cut your sausage into even slices. This helps them cook evenly. Spread them out well on the pan. Stir halfway through cooking. This ensures that every bit gets that lovely crisp. {{image_2}} You can switch up the sausage for a new taste. Try turkey sausage for a lighter meal. If you love spice, go for chorizo. It adds a nice kick to the mix. You can also use plant-based sausage if you prefer a meat-free option. Each type of sausage brings its own flavor, so feel free to experiment! You can add more veggies to boost nutrition and flavor. Carrots or bell peppers work well. Just chop them into even pieces. You can also use Brussels sprouts for a hearty touch. Just remember to cut them in half for even cooking. Mix and match your favorites for a colorful dish. Do you want to make it more exciting? Try adding some smoked paprika for a warm flavor. A pinch of cayenne pepper can give it a nice heat. If you love herbs, add rosemary or oregano for freshness. You can also sprinkle some garlic powder for extra depth. Get creative and make it your own! To keep your leftovers fresh, start by letting them cool. Use an airtight container. Place the cooled sausage, squash, and apples inside. Store them in the fridge. They will stay good for up to three days. When you are ready to eat, take the leftovers out of the fridge. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Spread the mixture on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between. If you want to store the dish for longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container. You can also use freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the container with the date. The dish can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use other squash. Zucchini, acorn, or spaghetti squash work well. Each type brings a unique flavor and texture. Just remember to adjust cooking time if needed. For example, zucchini cooks faster than butternut squash. Leftovers can stay fresh for up to four days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container for best results. When reheating, ensure the dish is heated thoroughly. This helps keep the flavors intact and safe to eat. Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Italian chicken sausage is often free of gluten. Just check the label to be sure. All other ingredients are also gluten-free, making this a great option for gluten-sensitive diets. You can prep this dish in advance. Chop the squash, apples, and onion ahead of time. Store them in the fridge until ready to cook. This makes for a quick dinner on busy nights. Just remember to add the sausage later to keep it fresh. This recipe combines Italian sausage, butternut squash, and apples for a tasty meal. Each step, from chopping to roasting, is clear and easy to follow. You can customize it with other veggies or spices, too. Store leftovers for future enjoyment, and don't worry—it's gluten-free! Try this dish, and let your taste buds enjoy the flavors. Happy cooking!$