Rustic Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe For Cozy Nights

Delightful orecchiette with sausage and spinach brings rustic Italian comfort straight to your kitchen table.

Pasta shapes like little ears catch savory sauce perfectly.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly for a satisfying meal.

Regional traditions inspire this simple yet robust dish.

Fragrant herbs and quality proteins create magic in one skillet.

Authentic flavors emerge from careful ingredient selection and precise cooking techniques.

Let’s whip up this delectable dinner that promises to become a new favorite.

Reasons To Enjoy Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Indulge in a hearty, satisfying dish that brings families together with its rich, cheesy layers and robust flavors.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Streamline dinner preparation with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that transform into a delicious meal in no time.
• Versatile Meal Option: Customize the recipe by swapping ground beef for sausage, adding vegetables, or adjusting cheese types to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the ziti in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making it perfect for busy schedules and stress-free entertaining.

Key Ingredients In Orecchiette Sausage Dish

• Orecchiette: A small, ear-shaped pasta that creates perfect pockets for capturing the delicious sauce.

• Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and meaty texture to the dish.

• Garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall depth and complexity of the recipe's flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a light, flavorful base for the sauce.

• Spinach: Provides a fresh, nutritious element and vibrant green color to the pasta dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps to sauté ingredients and add a smooth, rich base to the recipe.
• Pasta Water: Helps to create a silky, well-integrated sauce with the perfect consistency.

Stepwise Instructions For Orecchiette With Sausage

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook orecchiette in salted water following package directions until tender. Save some pasta water before draining to help create a silky sauce later.

Step 2: Brown Sausage Deliciously

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble sausage into small pieces and cook until nicely browned and developing deep flavor.

Step 3: Enhance With Aromatic Garlic

Toss minced garlic into the skillet and sauté until fragrant and golden, releasing its incredible savory essence.

Step 4: Create Liquid Base

Pour chicken broth into the skillet and let it simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and concentrate.

Step 5: Wilt Fresh Spinach

Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until leaves become soft and dark green, releasing their vibrant nutrients.

Step 6: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Slide cooked orecchiette into the skillet, tossing everything together.

Splash in reserved pasta water to create a smooth, clingy sauce that hugs each pasta curve.

Step 7: Finish With Cheesy Perfection

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring to distribute.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Expert Guidance On Orecchiette Preparation

• Use high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor and remove the casing before cooking to ensure even browning.
• Reserve pasta water carefully, as its starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce that perfectly coats the orecchiette.
• Control the heat when sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which can make the dish taste bitter and unpleasant.
• Choose fresh spinach for a vibrant green color and crisp texture that adds nutritional value to the pasta dish.
• Grate Parmesan cheese directly over the skillet for maximum melting and to distribute the rich, salty flavor throughout the meal.

Fresh Takes On Orecchiette With Sausage

• Rustic Tomato Burst: Replace spinach with halved cherry tomatoes, sautéed until slightly softened, and add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate fresh basil, oregano, and thyme into the sausage mixture, and swap Parmesan for crumbled feta cheese.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Substitute sausage with crumbled plant-based protein or roasted chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Creamy Mushroom Blend: Add sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms during sausage cooking, and stir in a splash of heavy cream for richness.

Ideal Complements For Orecchiette Sausage Pasta

Rustic Italian Family Dinner Night

• Serve the pasta in large, shallow ceramic bowls to highlight the beautiful colors and texture of the dish.
• Pair with a crisp Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the rich sausage flavors.

Cozy Weeknight Comfort Platter

• Create a family-style presentation by placing the entire skillet in the center of the table for everyone to serve themselves.
• Sprinkle extra fresh Parmesan and chopped parsley on top for added color and freshness.

Lunch Meal Prep Champion

• Pack individual portions in sealed containers for an easy, delicious work or school lunch.
• Garnish with red pepper flakes just before serving to add a spicy kick and extra flavor dimension.

Proper Care To Keep Orecchiette Fresh

• Store leftover orecchiette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer the pasta to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring the dish is sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a skillet with a little extra liquid, stirring frequently until heated through completely.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best in this recipe?

Italian sausage is ideal, preferably mild or sweet variety, as it provides rich flavor and complements the spinach perfectly.

• Can I use a different pasta shape if orecchiette is unavailable?

Yes, short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or shells will work well and hold the sauce similarly.

• Is this dish considered healthy?

This recipe offers a balanced meal with protein from sausage, nutrients from spinach, and carbohydrates from pasta, making it a reasonably nutritious option.

• How spicy will this dish be?

The spice level depends on the sausage you choose. Mild Italian sausage will provide minimal heat, while hot Italian sausage will add more kick.

Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rustic Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach brings southern Italian comfort to your dinner table. Hearty ingredients combine with simple techniques for a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 12 oz orecchiette pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach, washed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Boil orecchiette in salted water at 212°F for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Crumble sausage into small, uniform pieces and cook until golden brown and completely rendered, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the sausage, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors, cooking for 45-60 seconds.
4. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce slightly, creating a concentrated pan sauce for about 2-3 minutes.
5. Gently add fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and integrate seamlessly with the sausage mixture, approximately 1-2 minutes.
6. Transfer cooked orecchiette directly into the skillet, tossing vigorously to coat pasta with sauce. Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, cohesive texture.
7. Finish the dish by generously sprinkling Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Swap the pasta shape for gluten-free orecchiette or whole wheat pasta to accommodate dietary preferences.
• Remove the sausage casing before cooking to ensure even browning and better texture distribution.
• Add a splash of white wine while simmering to enhance the depth of flavor and create a more complex sauce.
• Reserve extra pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg