Italian Sausage Spaghetti
A delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring marinara sauce, crumbled Italian sausage, fresh spinach, tomatoes, and garlic. It's simple to prepare and bursting with fresh flavors.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 15 oz mild Italian sausage crumbled
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 ¾ cups marinara sauce
- 6 oz fresh spinach
- 4 medium tomatoes chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.12 oz spaghetti
- Cook the Sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking it into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.1 tablespoon olive oil, 15 oz mild Italian sausage
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: To the cooked sausage, add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Make the Sauce: Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the fresh spinach and stir again. Cover the skillet and simmer on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted.1 ¾ cups marinara sauce, 6 oz fresh spinach
- Add Fresh Tomatoes: Stir the chopped tomatoes into the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.4 medium tomatoes, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle with fresh thyme, if desired, and serve immediately.Fresh thyme
Notes
- Tomato Sauce Options: You can use any marinara or tomato pasta sauce, such as tomato basil, arrabbiata, or garlic tomato.
- Sausage Variations: Mild, spicy, or sweet Italian sausage all work well. If using sausage links, remove the casings before cooking.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the sausage with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Sausage or add more vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Greens Substitutions: Swiss chard, kale, or arugula can be used instead of spinach.
- Gluten-Free Alternative: Use gluten-free pasta made from rice, chickpeas, or lentils.
- Add Red Wine: For a richer flavor, stir in ¼ cup of dry red wine when adding the marinara sauce.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Cook the pasta fresh when ready to serve.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, store the sauce and pasta separately.
- Freezer Instructions: Freeze the sauce (without pasta) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving with freshly cooked pasta.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.