The Ultimate Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe for Dinner

Orecchiette with sausage and spinach brings rustic Italian comfort to your dinner table.

This hearty pasta dish combines robust flavors that dance delightfully across your palate.

Compact ear-shaped noodles cradle rich, savory ingredients in a perfect culinary embrace.

Mediterranean cuisine shines through with its simple yet bold combination of regional elements.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of tender meat, leafy greens, and perfectly textured pasta.

Homemade meals like these elevate ordinary ingredients into extraordinary experiences that connect us to traditional cooking methods.

Prepare to fall in love with this soul-warming recipe that celebrates genuine, unpretentious cooking.

Pairing Ideas for Sausage and Spinach Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich sausage and earthy spinach with a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's acidity cuts through the dish's richness, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Match with Fresh Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's hearty elements. The zesty greens will refresh the palate between bites of savory sausage and tender pasta.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Add a crunchy garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious pan sauce. The bread's crispy texture and garlicky notes will enhance the overall dining experience.
• Finish with Lemon Sorbet: End the meal with a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet to cut through the dish's richness. Its bright, citrusy flavor provides a refreshing finish to this hearty pasta.

Exciting Variations for Orecchiette Recipes

• Quick Veggie Swap: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a vegetarian version that keeps the dish hearty and flavorful.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Add red pepper flakes, swap white wine for red, and include chopped kalamata olives to transform the pasta into a zesty Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Creamy Autumn Fusion: Stir in a splash of heavy cream and sprinkle crushed sage leaves for a richer, more comforting cold-weather rendition of the original recipe.
• Protein Power Bowl: Replace orecchiette with quinoa or farro, incorporate grilled chicken instead of sausage, and add extra spinach for a protein-packed alternative that works great as a meal prep option.

What Makes Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach Worth It

• Savor Quick and Robust Flavors: This recipe delivers a powerhouse of taste with sausage, white wine, and Dijon mustard creating a rich, complex flavor profile in under 30 minutes.
• Master an Easy Restaurant-Style Technique: The one-skillet method allows home cooks to effortlessly create a professional-looking dish by deglazing with wine and wilting spinach, making restaurant-quality cooking accessible.
• Enjoy Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with protein from sausage and nutrients from spinach, this dish offers a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome, perfect for satisfying hunger without guilt.
• Celebrate Versatile Weeknight Cooking: The recipe's simple ingredients and straightforward preparation make it ideal for busy evenings, allowing quick transformation of basic components into a delicious, impressive meal that appeals to both adults and pasta lovers.

Ingredients for Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

• Orecchiette Pasta: Classic shell-shaped pasta perfect for holding saucy ingredients and providing a hearty base for the dish.

• Sausage, Chopped: Flavorful meat that adds rich, savory depth and creates a robust main component for the recipe.

• Onion: Provides sweet and savory base notes that complement the sausage and add depth to the overall dish.
• Garlic, Minced: Adds intense, aromatic flavor that brings complexity to the sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces a tangy, sharp element that balances the richness of the sausage.

• Spinach, Fresh: Brings vibrant green color, light texture, and nutritional value to the dish.
• Basil: Offers a fresh, aromatic herb note that brightens the overall flavor profile.

• Dry White Wine: Creates a light, acidic element that helps deglaze the pan and adds complexity to the sauce.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and rounds out the seasoning.

• Parmesan Cheese, Grated: Adds a salty, nutty finish that complements the rich flavors of the pasta.

Instructions for Making Orecchiette Spinach Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown Sausage and Onions

• Chopped sausage meat
• Chopped onions

Sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until sausage is fully cooked and onions become translucent. If needed, drain excess fat, keeping 1-for added flavor.

Step 3: Infuse with Aromatic Flavors

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in minced garlic and Dijon mustard. Cook for 30 seconds until garlic releases its fragrant aroma.

Step 4: Deglaze with Wine

Pour dry white wine into the skillet. Let it simmer and reduce by half, which takes about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Add Greens and Combine

Toss in fresh spinach and basil. Use tongs to gently wilt the spinach. Add cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to blend all flavors.

Step 6: Final Seasoning and Serving

Season with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra touch, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious pasta dish!

Tips to Elevate Sausage Spinach Pasta

• Choose Quality Sausage: Select fresh Italian sausage with robust flavor, removing casings for better texture and even cooking.
• Control Pasta Doneness: Cook orecchiette until perfectly al dente, testing a minute before package instructions to prevent overcooking.
• Balance Fat Content: Drain excess sausage fat carefully, keeping just enough to enhance the dish's rich flavor profile.
• Maximize Herb Freshness: Add basil and spinach at the last moment to preserve vibrant color and maintain crisp texture.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the sauce's depth without overpowering other ingredients.

Reheating and Storing Orecchiette

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate the pasta in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keep the dish fresh by storing it separately from other ingredients. Glass or plastic containers with tight-sealing lids work best for maintaining quality and preventing odor transfer.
• Reheat Options
• Microwave method: Transfer pasta to a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.
• Stovetop method: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to restore moisture. Gently toss the pasta to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Shelf Life
• Consume refrigerated orecchiette within 3-4 days for optimal flavor and safety.

Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Delight Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach Delight brings Italian countryside comfort to your kitchen with its perfect balance of hearty sausage and tender spinach. Rich pasta embraces savory flavors, creating a rustic meal that invites you to savor each delicious forkful of culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

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Pasta and Proteins:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) orecchiette pasta
• 16 ounces (454 grams) Italian sausage

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup dry white wine
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and generously salt it. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat and cook the orecchiette pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes (225 grams or ).
2. While the pasta cooks, heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Crumble the sausage meat and dice the onions, then sauté together for 7-9 minutes until the meat browns completely and onions turn translucent.
3. Drain excess fat, leaving approximately in the pan. Reduce heat to medium and introduce minced garlic and Dijon mustard, stirring quickly to prevent burning.
4. Deglaze the skillet with dry white wine, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce by half, concentrating the flavors for about 2 minutes.
5. Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the sausage mixture, using tongs to help them wilt and integrate smoothly.
6. Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet, tossing thoroughly to ensure each pasta piece is coated with the rich, savory sauce.
7. Season the dish with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Optional: Garnish with finely grated parmesan cheese and torn fresh basil leaves before serving immediately.

Notes

• Quick-cooking pasta dish bursting with savory sausage and vibrant spinach flavors.
• Select fresh Italian sausage for the most authentic and rich taste profile.
• Remove sausage from casing easily by slicing lengthwise and peeling off the skin before chopping.
• White wine adds depth and helps deglaze the pan, capturing all the delicious browned bits.
• Wilting spinach takes less than a minute, keeping its bright green color and nutritional value intact.
• Grate parmesan cheese directly over the hot pasta to help it melt slightly and enhance overall seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg