Rustic Italian Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach Recipe

Pasta lovers will adore this classic orecchiette with sausage and spinach recipe that brings together hearty flavors in one delightful dish.

The tender, ear-shaped orecchiette nestles perfectly with spicy Italian sausage and vibrant green spinach.

Rich, robust ingredients dance together in a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of taste.

Each bite promises a satisfying blend of textures and savory notes that sing with authentic Italian charm.

The simple yet elegant combination creates a restaurant-quality meal you can easily craft at home.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation mean dinner becomes a quick, delicious adventure.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to savor every delectable forkful of this comforting pasta classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach Ingredients

• Orecchiette: Unique shell-shaped pasta perfect for catching sauce, choose fresh or high-quality dried pasta for best texture.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning pasta water, enhances overall dish flavor.

• Italian Sausage, Ground Beef: Provides rich, meaty foundation with robust flavor, select high-quality meat with good fat content.
• Onion: Adds sweet depth and aromatic base, look for firm onions without soft spots.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, earthy undertone, choose fresh cloves with tight, unbruised skin.

• Dijon Mustard: Introduces tangy complexity and helps bind sauce, select smooth, well-balanced mustard.
• White Wine: Adds subtle acidity and deglazes pan, use dry varieties like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Fresh Basil: Brings bright, herbaceous note, pick vibrant green leaves without wilting.
• Spinach: Provides nutritious green element, select crisp leaves with deep color.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers salty, nutty finish, grate fresh for maximum flavor.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Final seasoning to balance and elevate dish's overall taste profile.

Equipment for Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of water.
• Large skillet: Perfect for browning sausage and creating the sauce.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients while cooking.
• Cheese grater: Needed for fresh Parmesan cheese topping.
• Measuring cups: Optional for precise ingredient amounts.
• Sharp knife: Useful for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.

Cooking Directions for Orecchiette and Sausage

• Pasta Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Gently drop orecchiette into the water, allowing them to dance and cook until they reach perfect tenderness.

• Sausage Symphony

Heat a spacious skillet and introduce sausage and onions. Let them sizzle and caramelize, creating a rich golden landscape of flavor. Drain any excessive oil that appears.

• Aromatic Awakening

Lower the flame and welcome minced garlic and a whisper of Dijon mustard. Let these ingredients mingle and release their vibrant essences for a brief moment.

• Wine Reduction

Splash white wine into the skillet, watching it transform and concentrate, leaving behind an intense flavor profile.

• Green Embrace

Toss fresh spinach and fragrant basil into the mixture. Watch the greens surrender and wilt, integrating seamlessly with the sausage.

• Final Fusion

Transfer perfectly cooked pasta into the skillet. Gently tumble everything together, allowing each ingredient to find its perfect companion.

• Finishing Touch

Sprinkle salt and pepper to elevate the flavors. Optional: crown the dish with a delicate shower of Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of decadence.

Tips to Elevate Orecchiette with Sausage

• Replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for a unique twist and added nutritional diversity.
• Ensure orecchiette is cooked al dente by testing a piece 1-2 minutes before package instructions suggest, maintaining a slight firmness to the bite.
• If white wine isn't available, use chicken broth or dry vermouth as an alternative liquid to deglaze the pan and add depth to the sauce.
• Blend different hard cheeses like pecorino romano or aged asiago alongside Parmesan for a more complex and rich cheese topping.

Serving Suggestions for Orecchiette Dishes

• Pair with Crisp Salad: Create a light, refreshing green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty pasta dish.
• Rustic Bread on the Side: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a complementary texture to the meal.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enjoy with a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red such as Chianti to enhance the flavors of the sausage and pasta.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and beautiful pop of color to the dish.

How to Store Orecchiette Fresh

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover orecchiette in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out, stirring occasionally for even heating.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack the cooled dish in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible, and store for up to 2 months for a quick weeknight dinner option.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and cook sausage in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to streamline meal preparation when you're short on time.

Velvety Chicken A La King Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken a la king recipe celebrates comfort with creamy sauce and tender chicken pieces. Home cooks can quickly prepare this nostalgic American classic for a satisfying meal that connects generations of family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
• ½ cup (113 grams / 4 oz) salted butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 egg yolks
• 8 oz (226 grams) sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup drained pimientos

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Instructions

1. Sauté Preparation: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, then add mushrooms and cook until golden and tender, releasing their natural moisture.
2. Flour Integration: Evenly sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring continuously to create a uniform roux without dry flour patches.
3. Liquid Incorporation: Gradually pour chicken broth and whole milk into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
4. Sauce Development: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Egg Tempering: Whisk egg yolks with heavy cream, then carefully incorporate a portion of the hot sauce to prevent curdling, gradually returning the tempered mixture to the saucepan.
6. Final Cooking: Maintain low heat while stirring, ensuring a creamy consistency without boiling, then fold in frozen peas, pimientos, and diced chicken.
7. Seasoning and Serving: Enhance with salt and black pepper, warming the mixture thoroughly to blend flavors, and serve immediately over steamed rice, egg noodles, toasted bread, or buttermilk biscuits.

Notes

• Prevent Sauce Separation: Temper egg yolks carefully by slowly adding hot sauce while whisking constantly to avoid curdling and maintain a silky smooth texture.
• Control Mushroom Cooking: Sauté mushrooms until golden brown and moisture evaporates, which concentrates their rich, earthy flavor and prevents watery sauce.
• Manage Sauce Thickness: Watch sauce consistency closely, stirring occasionally and simmering until it coats the back of a spoon for perfect creamy result.
• Select Serving Bases Wisely: Choose absorbent, sturdy bases like steamed rice or toasted bread that complement the sauce’s rich, velvety consistency without becoming soggy.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg