Name: Sausage Pasta with Tomato, Spinach, and Basil Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 250 g / 0.5 lb spiral pasta; 500 g / 1 lb good Italian sausages (or other quality sausages of choice); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato (or tomato passata); 1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (adjust to taste); Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 – 2 big handfuls baby spinach (optional); Basil leaves, finely sliced; Parmesan cheese, for serving

Ingredients

250 g / 0.5 lb spiral pasta

500 g / 1 lb good Italian sausages (or other quality sausages of choice)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato (or tomato passata)

1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Salt and pepper

1–2 big handfuls baby spinach (optional)

Basil leaves, finely sliced

Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the packet directions, but reduce the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes so the pasta remains slightly firm.

Step 2: Just before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3: Using a sharp knife, cut the sausages into chunks about 1.5 cm (around 3/5″). The pieces may look uneven or a bit messy; don’t worry, they will firm up as they cook.

Step 4: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the sausage pieces and cook until they are well browned on the outside—you don’t need to cook them through at this stage.

Step 5: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the sausages are nicely browned.

Step 6: Pour in the crushed tomato and stir in the chilli flakes, salt, and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium and let the sauce bubble away energetically for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.

Step 7: If using, add the baby spinach along with the cooked pasta and about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything quickly for no more than a minute to combine and heat through without breaking the pasta.

Step 8: Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve immediately, garnished generously with sliced basil and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a milder dish, reduce or omit the chilli flakes. You can also add a splash of cream or a knob of butter at the end for a richer sauce.

Substitute spinach with other greens like kale or rocket, adding them at the same step.

Use spicy sausages for extra heat or try flavored varieties such as fennel or garlic sausage for different tastes.

If you want a smoother sauce, use tomato passata instead of crushed tomatoes.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, spiral pasta works well to hold the sauce, but you can use penne, fusilli, or any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand.

What can I do if I don’t have fresh basil?

If fresh basil isn’t available, dried basil can be added to the sauce while it simmers, though fresh basil provides a brighter flavor and is best added at the end as a garnish.