Description
A vibrant and hearty Tomato Spinach Sausage Pasta that’s perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal. This recipe blends juicy Italian sausage with fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a spicy tomato sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta for a deliciously satisfying dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Sauce
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage meat (mild or spicy)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 7 oz (200g) cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 handful fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta
- 4 servings pasta (we used farfalle)
- Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the sausage and garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and sauté until it is nearly cooked through. Then add the roughly chopped garlic cloves, continuing to cook until fragrant and the sausage is no longer pink.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Stir in the roughly chopped cherry tomatoes, 1 teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften and the flavors meld well with the sausage.
- Finish the sauce: Mix in 2 tablespoons of tomato puree and add a handful of fresh spinach. Stir continuously until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated. Season with ½ teaspoon black pepper and sprinkle chili flakes on top to taste before serving.
Notes
- Italian sausage can be mild or spicy depending on your heat preference.
- Use fresh spinach for a vibrant flavor and texture; baby spinach can be used as an alternative.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and chili flakes to manage the spice level.
- Farfalle pasta works great, but penne or rigatoni also pair well.
- For a creamier variation, add a splash of cream or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
