Sausage Pasta

Posted in European Recipes, Comfort Food, Quick and Easy Recipes
Sausage Pasta
Sausage Pasta is the kind of dinner that feels bigger than the work involved: browned Italian sausage, garlic, tomato, cream, parmesan, and spinach tossed with sturdy pasta.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rigatoni or penne
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh basil, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

  2. Brown the Sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned.

  3. Cook the Aromatics: Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.

  4. Make the Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, then stir in the cream and parmesan.

  5. Toss: Add the pasta and spinach. Toss until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed.

  6. Serve: Season with salt and pepper and serve with basil and extra parmesan.

Weeknight Pasta with Depth

Sausage pasta is useful because the sausage brings seasoning, fat, and savory depth quickly. A little tomato, pasta water, and cheese can turn it into a sauce that feels like it cooked longer than it did.

Tips and Variations

  • Brown the sausage well before building the sauce.
  • Save pasta water so the sauce can cling to the noodles.
  • Add spinach, kale, mushrooms, peas, roasted peppers, or broccoli rabe.
  • Use spicy sausage if you want heat.
  • Serve with a green salad and extra parmesan.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Servings Per Recipe: 6
  • Calories: 620

% Daily Value

  • Total Fat: 30g (38% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 12g (60% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 80mg (27% DV)
  • Sodium: 980mg (43% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 60g (22% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 5g (18% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 8g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Vitamin A: 220mcg (24% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 24mg (27% DV)
  • Calcium: 240mg (18% DV)
  • iron: 4mg (22% DV)

Note: The “% Daily Value” (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and preparation.