Quick & Hearty Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe

Whipping up a delightful orecchiette with sausage and spinach brings pure comfort to your dinner table.

Pasta shapes like little ears capture robust flavors perfectly.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together in this rustic dish that feels both elegant and homey.

Italian traditions shine through each carefully combined component.

Savory sausage melds beautifully with tender spinach leaves, creating a harmonious blend.

Hearty and satisfying, this recipe promises a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this delicious creation for your next cozy evening.

Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach That Wows

• Savor Quick Comfort: A hearty one-pan meal that combines tender pasta, spicy sausage, and nutritious spinach for a satisfying dinner solution.
• Master Weeknight Cooking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Flavor: Adaptable recipe allows easy personalization with optional Parmesan cheese, adjustable spice levels using red pepper flakes, and potential vegetable swaps to match your taste preferences.
• Nutrition in One Dish: Balanced meal featuring protein from sausage, greens from spinach, and carbohydrates from pasta, creating a complete and wholesome dinner option for families.

Ingredients Needed for Orecchiette with Sausage & Spinach

• Orecchiette: A small, ear-shaped pasta that perfectly catches and holds the sauce and ingredients.

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the dish.

• Spinach, Onion, Garlic: Fresh vegetables and aromatics that provide a nutritious base and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Parmesan Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Cheese adds a salty and creamy finish, while red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper provide balanced seasoning and a hint of heat.

• Olive Oil, Pasta Water: Olive oil helps sauté ingredients, and reserved pasta water creates a silky sauce that coats the pasta.

How to Make Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring water to a rolling boil and drop in orecchiette pasta.

Cook until pasta reaches al dente texture. Save a cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Brown Sausage

Place a large skillet on medium heat. Pour olive oil and add sausage.

Break sausage into small crumbly pieces while cooking. Continue until meat turns golden brown and develops delicious crispy edges.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Stir and cook until onions become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance.

Step 4: Wilt Spinach

Toss fresh spinach into the skillet.

Gently stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach becomes soft and reduces in volume.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Transfer cooked pasta into the skillet.

Pour reserved pasta water and mix everything thoroughly. Ensure pasta gets evenly coated with sausage and vegetable mixture.

Step 6: Season And Finish

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir to distribute seasonings evenly.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Transfer to serving plates while hot.

Enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures.

Tips to Enhance Flavor in Orecchiette Pasta

• Choose short, sturdy pasta like orecchiette to hold the sausage and spinach perfectly, creating ideal sauce-to-pasta coverage.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, emulsified sauce that helps ingredients cling beautifully to each pasta piece.
• Swap pork sausage with turkey or plant-based sausage for lighter, healthier versions without compromising robust flavor profiles.
• Break sausage into smaller pieces while cooking to ensure even browning and maximize caramelized, crispy texture throughout the dish.
• Remove excess sausage fat before adding vegetables to control dish's overall richness and prevent potential greasiness.

Flavor Twists for Sausage & Spinach Orecchiette

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace orecchiette with gluten-free pasta made from rice or corn flour, ensuring the same delicious flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a meat-free alternative that maintains the dish's heartiness.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while keeping the core ingredients.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Omit Parmesan cheese or use nutritional yeast as a cheese substitute, maintaining the recipe's rich and savory characteristics.

What to Serve with Orecchiette Pasta

• Rustic Family Dinner Delight: Gather everyone around the table for a hearty, comforting meal that brings warmth to your evening.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare this dish ahead of time and store in individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week.
• Gourmet Pizza Twist: Use the sausage and spinach mixture as a topping for homemade pizza, creating a delightful variation of the original recipe.
• Picnic Perfect Pack: Pack this pasta in a portable container for an outdoor lunch that's both satisfying and easy to transport.

Storage Tips for Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store the pasta dish in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it's sealed tightly to preserve flavor and texture.
• Use shallow containers to help the food cool down quickly and evenly before refrigerating.
• Avoid leaving the pasta at room temperature for extended periods to prevent potential foodborne illnesses.

FAQs

• What type of pasta is best for this recipe?

Orecchiette is ideal because its unique shell-like shape perfectly captures the sausage and sauce, creating a delicious bite every time.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of sausage?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be great substitutes if you want a leaner protein option while maintaining similar flavor profiles.

• How spicy will the dish be with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat that can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount. Start with a small pinch and add more according to your spice preference.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners during the week.

Perfect Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 21 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade orecchiette with sausage and spinach delivers rustic Italian comfort on a plate. Rich flavors from Puglia blend hearty ingredients with simple cooking techniques for an authentic Mediterranean meal you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) halal sausage, casing removed
• 12 ounces (340 grams) orecchiette pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking the pasta)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boil orecchiette in generously salted water at a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente. Carefully extract 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Crumble sausage into small fragments and sauté until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
3. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet. Continuously stir until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Gently fold fresh spinach into the sausage mixture, allowing leaves to wilt and reduce in volume for 2-3 minutes.
5. Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet, incorporating reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to ensure every pasta curve captures the robust sauce.
6. Elevate flavor profile by sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enhance with a pinch of red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to personal preference.
7. Plate immediately while piping hot, presenting a harmonious blend of rustic Italian flavors and textures.

Notes

• Customize pasta texture by cooking slightly less for a firmer bite or longer for softer consistency.
• Switch spicy Italian sausage with mild version or plant-based alternative for different dietary preferences.
• Reserve pasta water carefully as starchy liquid helps create smooth, silky sauce that perfectly coats noodles.
• Enhance flavor by toasting red pepper flakes in olive oil before adding other ingredients to release deeper, more intense heat.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 670 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg