ONE-POT PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND SPINACH

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One-Pot Pasta With Sausage and Spinach image

This is the one-pot recipe to make when chopping an onion feels like too much work. Cooking the pasta in a combination of passata (puréed raw tomatoes) and water seasoned with cumin and red-pepper flakes infuses it with flavor all the way through. Cumin adds a subtle earthiness to the dish, but you can also use the same seasonings as those in the sausage you've chosen, like dried oregano, thyme, basil, paprika, fennel seeds or garlic. (Check the ingredients list on the package, if you're not sure.) Baby arugula, kale or other leafy greens could be substituted for the spinach, just make sure to tear or cut them into small, bite-size pieces. To make a vegetarian version, you could use mushrooms in place of the sausage at the start of the recipe, then continue with the rest.

Provided by Yasmin Fahr

Categories     dinner, quick, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 sweet or hot Italian sausages (5 to 6 ounces), casings removed
1 (24-ounce) jar passata or (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1 pound cavatappi, fusilli or other small, tubular pasta
5 packed cups baby spinach (about 5 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a 12-inch, deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid or a Dutch oven over medium-high until shimmering. Use your hands to pull the sausages apart into small pieces; add to the skillet and cook untouched for 1 minute.
  • Continue to cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, stirring at 1-minute intervals and breaking up the sausage into 1/2-inch chunks, until browned and crispy on the outside with no pink remaining. If you have more than 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan, drain the excess.
  • Carefully pour in the passata (it may splatter), then add the cumin, red-pepper flakes and 2 cups water, stirring to combine. Season with salt and increase the heat to bring to a boil.
  • Add the pasta, coating it with the liquid. (It won't be fully submerged, and that's OK.) Adjust the heat to maintain an active simmer with small bubbles forming on the surface. Cover and let cook, stirring every few minutes to make sure nothing is sticking at the bottom of the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. If the pasta is still hard at this point, add a few tablespoons of warm water at a time and cook until just al dente. Depending on your pasta size and shape, you may need to add several tablespoons of water.
  • When the pasta is just al dente, reduce the heat to low and season to taste with salt. Stir in the spinach in batches, and cook, uncovered, until most of the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute more. (It will continue to wilt in the heat of the pasta after you serve it.) If the pasta seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon warm water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Divide pasta among serving bowls and top with Parmesan.

Sarah Tageldin
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This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.


Shiloh Henry
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I'm not a big fan of spinach, but I actually really enjoyed it in this dish.


Taurean Myers
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover sausage and spinach.


Erica Swindle
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I love that this dish is a one-pot meal. It makes cleanup a breeze.


Happy Mashigo
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This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and it's also very affordable.


Michelle Drummond
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I've made this dish several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves the combination of sausage, spinach, and pasta.


Akash Sikder
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This is one of my favorite pasta recipes! It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious.


Olivia Jikijela
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Overall, I thought this dish was good, but not great. I might try it again with some different ingredients.


Tramell Grier
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The pasta was a bit overcooked for my liking, but that's probably because I didn't pay close enough attention to the cooking time.


Shelby Washington.
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This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I think that's just a personal preference. I would recommend using a milder sausage if you're not a fan of spicy food.


R Schraeder
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I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal.


Shobi Vinothkumar
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The flavors in this dish were amazing. The sausage and spinach complemented each other perfectly, and the sauce was rich and flavorful.


NURUDEEN KASIMU
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I love how easy this dish was to make. I was able to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, which is a huge plus on busy weeknights.


john anyinda
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This one-pot pasta dish was a hit with my family! The sausage and spinach added great flavor, and the pasta cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be making this again.