Zesty Italian Sausage Pasta With Spinach Recipe

Crafting a quick and delightful 30-minute Italian sausage pasta with spinach can transform your weeknight dinner into a memorable culinary adventure.

Hearty sausage mingles perfectly with tender spinach leaves, creating a robust flavor profile.

Robust ingredients come together effortlessly in this simple yet impressive dish.

Home cooks appreciate meals that deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Rich proteins and verdant greens combine to offer a nutritionally balanced plate that satisfies deeply.

Comfort meets convenience in this one-pan wonder that promises to become your new go-to recipe.

Dive in and savor every delectable bite of this Italian-inspired masterpiece.

What’s to Love About Italian Sausage Pasta

• Speed Up Dinner: Craft a mouthwatering Italian sausage pasta in under half an hour, perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is short.
• Packed with Flavor Punch: Combine spicy sausage, hearty mushrooms, and fresh spinach for a robust meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by preparing this entire dish in a single pan, reducing washing up and making meal preparation stress-free.
• Customizable Heat Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to create a mild or fiery experience that matches your personal spice preference, making it adaptable for different taste buds.

Ingredients List for Italian Sausage Pasta

• Italian Sausage: A savory and flavorful meat that provides the primary protein and bold taste in this pasta dish.
• Pasta: The hearty base of the recipe that absorbs the rich sauce and creates a satisfying meal.
• Spinach: A nutritious green vegetable that adds freshness and vibrant color to the dish.

• Mushrooms: Earthy fungi that contribute a meaty texture and deep umami flavor to the pasta.
• Garlic: An aromatic ingredient that provides a pungent and robust flavor base for the sauce.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste and help develop the dish's flavor profile.
• Tomato Pasta Sauce: A smooth and tangy base that binds all the ingredients together.
• Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Herbs and spices that add warmth, depth, and a touch of heat to the recipe.

Cooking Steps for Sausage Pasta with Spinach

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Drop pasta into the water and cook exactly as the package instructs.

While pasta bubbles away, continue preparing the other ingredients.

Step 2: Sauté Mushrooms

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame.

Slide sliced mushrooms into the pan and cook until they turn golden and tender, about 3-5 minutes. Carefully transfer mushrooms to a separate plate.

Step 3: Cook Sausage

In the same skillet, crumble Italian sausage and cook over medium heat. Sizzle the meat until it’s completely browned and cooked through.

Drain any excess grease from the pan.

Step 4: Build Flavor Base

• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Tomato pasta sauce
• Fresh spinach

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Cook for 5 minutes, watching the spinach wilt and flavors meld.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly into the skillet.

Toss everything together until pasta is completely coated with sauce. Let it reheat for a couple of minutes.

Step 6: Final Seasoning

Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Add extra red pepper flakes for more kick if desired. Scatter the reserved mushrooms on top.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the steaming pasta into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy your quick and delectable meal straight from the skillet!

Best Tips for Sausage Pasta with Spinach

• Cut mushrooms evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Remove excess grease from sausage to keep the sauce light and prevent an overly greasy texture in your final dish.
• Adjust cooking time for spinach to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking, which can make it lose nutrients and become soggy.
• Add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving to elevate the overall taste profile.
• Select fresh Italian sausage and ripe tomato sauce to guarantee maximum flavor and authenticity in your pasta dish.

Flavor Shifts for Italian Sausage Pasta Dish

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace Italian seasoning with fresh chopped basil, oregano, and thyme for a bright, herbaceous flavor profile.
• Veggie Power Punch: Swap sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted chickpeas to create a vegetarian version packed with protein.
• Creamy Comfort Edition: Stir in a quarter cup of cream cheese or ricotta before adding pasta to create a rich, velvety sauce texture.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Use chorizo instead of Italian sausage, add diced green chilies, and swap tomato sauce for salsa for a zesty Mexican-inspired meal.

Great Pairings for Italian Sausage Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the spicy sausage and cuts through the rich tomato sauce.
• Enhance with Fresh Parmesan Garlic Bread: Create a crispy side with toasted baguette slices topped with grated parmesan and roasted garlic to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Balance with Crisp Arugula Salad: Prepare a light salad with peppery arugula, lemon vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to contrast the hearty pasta dish and provide a fresh counterpoint.
• Complement with Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a hoppy Italian-style pale ale or amber beer that matches the boldness of the sausage and adds a refreshing finish to the meal.

Store Sausage Pasta for Future Enjoyment

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool pasta completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.

Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat for 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even warming.

Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated thoroughly, about 3-5 minutes.

Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best for this recipe?

Italian sausage (mild or spicy) is ideal. You can use ground pork sausage removed from its casing for the most authentic flavor and texture.

• Can I make this pasta dish vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the sausage with plant-based crumbles, extra mushrooms, or cooked chickpeas to maintain protein and texture.

• How spicy is this pasta dish?

The recipe has mild heat from red pepper flakes. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your preference.

• Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Absolutely. It uses simple, affordable ingredients like pasta, sausage, spinach, and pantry staples, making it an economical meal for families.

30-Minute Italian Sausage Pasta With Spinach Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling 30-minute Italian sausage pasta blends robust flavors with tender spinach for a quick weeknight dinner. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a comforting meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Italian sausage, mild, crumbled
• 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh spinach

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta, farfalle (bow tie) or penne
• 8 ounces (226 grams) crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 13 ounces (369 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or herbs from Provence
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Salt to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of water and cook pasta according to package instructions at a rolling boil, typically 8-10 minutes until al dente.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, creating a perfect sautéing environment.
3. Sauté sliced mushrooms for 3-4 minutes until they release moisture and develop a golden-brown edge, then transfer to a separate plate.
4. Crumble Italian sausage into the same skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains, carefully draining excess grease.
5. Introduce minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the sausage, creating an aromatic base for the sauce.
6. Pour tomato pasta sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine with the sausage and spices, then gently fold in fresh spinach leaves.
7. Simmer the sauce on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, allowing spinach to wilt and flavors to meld together, stirring occasionally.
8. Drain the cooked pasta and add directly into the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coating.
9. Let the pasta reheat in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to absorb the rich flavors.
10. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting spice level with additional red pepper flakes if desired.
11. Garnish with reserved sautéed mushrooms and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
• Select high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth and authentic taste.
• Prevent mushrooms from becoming soggy by cooking them separately and adding back at the end for perfect texture.
• Keep extra pasta water handy to help create a silkier sauce if mixture seems too thick during cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 507 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg