Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe
This orecchiette with sausage and spinach recipe is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender pasta, savory sausage, and fresh spinach. Bursting with flavor, it's a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz orecchiette pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 5 oz fresh spinach (about 5 cups)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook orecchiette in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes).
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
- Substitute spinach with kale or arugula if preferred.
- Use spicy sausage for added heat or mild sausage for a kid-friendly option.
- Add a splash of white wine while cooking the sausage for extra depth of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg