Description
This Tomato Spinach Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and hearty dish combining spicy Italian sausage with fresh spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a rich tomato puree sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe uses simple ingredients to create a satisfying meal with a balanced blend of spices and textures.
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, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente following the package instructions. Drain and set aside once done.
- Cook the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Sauté until the sausage is nearly cooked through. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant and the sausage is no longer pink.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the roughly chopped cherry tomatoes, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften and blend with the sausage.
- Incorporate Tomato Puree and Spinach: Mix in the tomato puree and add the 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 thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Season with black pepper and sprinkle chili flakes on top according to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing the cayenne pepper and chili flakes.
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or other greens if desired.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to avoid over-soft texture after mixing with the sauce.
