Description
A hearty and flavorful Italian Sausage Pasta featuring savory Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich marinara sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. This one-pan stovetop recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner and can be customized with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes and garnished with Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Vegetables
- 1 lb Italian sausage (bulk or casing removed)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Pantry and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti work well)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Spinach: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the chopped spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Simmer Sauce with Sausage and Veggies: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the mushrooms and spinach. Stir in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce and evenly combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Divide the pasta between plates and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For added heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of crushed chili.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this meal gluten free.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick when tossing pasta.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a bright finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
