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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce minced garlic to the sausage, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors, cooking for 45-60 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce slightly, creating a concentrated pan sauce for about 2-3 minutes.
- Gently add fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and integrate seamlessly with the sausage mixture, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- 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.
- 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