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
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Crumble sausage into small fragments and sauté until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet. Continuously stir until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold fresh spinach into the sausage mixture, allowing leaves to wilt and reduce in volume for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet, incorporating reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to ensure every pasta curve captures the robust sauce.
- 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.
- 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