Description
This easy and delicious pasta dish features Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a flavorful tomato sauce, making it a perfect weeknight meal. With just the right amount of heat from cayenne and chili flakes, it’s both comforting and zesty.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage meat (mild or spicy)
- 4 servings of pasta (we used farfalle pasta)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 7 oz (200g) cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 handful of fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage meat and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked, set it aside on a plate.
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Sauté the Garlic and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes until they soften and release their juices.
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Add the Spinach and Tomato Puree: Stir in the fresh spinach and tomato puree, and cook for another 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined.
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Season the Sauce: Add the paprika, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the flavors meld for 2-3 minutes.
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Combine Pasta and Sausage: Add the cooked pasta and sausage back into the skillet. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
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Serve: Once everything is mixed together and heated through, serve hot.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a little heavy cream or grated cheese to the sauce before mixing in the pasta.
- Adjust the level of spice by altering the amount of cayenne pepper and chili flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: Pasta, sausage, spinach, tomato, farfalle pasta, weeknight dinner, Italian sausage pasta