A quick, super tasty Sausage pasta made using chopped up Italian sausages that end up looking like mini meatballs, tossed in a tomato pasta sauce. Makes for a quick dinner that’s so tasty, you’ll be making this one again!
And it’s time to choose the next FREE eCookbook!!!
Sausage Pasta
It’s the last Monday of August which means another Monday Meatball Mania* here! I hadn’t planned for this Sausage Pasta to be my meatball recipe for this month….but when I noticed that chopped up sausages end up looking just like mini meatballs, I couldn’t resist. 😉
I mean, what a way to make “meatballs”, right? Just chop up sausages! They might get smeary and messy when you chop them – mine did – but once they’re in the skillet, they firm up and transform into balls.
* Monday Meatball Mania is a “thing” my friend Jo from Jo Cooks and I started at the beginning of 2017 where we each publish a meatball recipe on the last Monday of every month. Why do we do this? a) For our own entertainment; and b) Because we both love ball shaped foods and think there should be more of them in this world.
The sausages are the flavour base of the sauce for this Sausage Pasta, so please don’t get the basic best value sausages from the supermarket! Believe me, I am not a sausage snob. I have been known to hunt down fund raiser sausage sizzles on weekends (it’s for charity I tell myself).
But there is a time and place for different types of sausages and in this particular recipe, it’s important to get a good – or at least decent – sausage. Here’s my tip for good vs cheap sausages not suitable for this recipe: cheap sausages are a uniform pink colour, because the meat has been whizzed up with fillers. Good sausages are will not be a uniform colour – you will see specks of fat and sometimes seasonings.
Nowadays, supermarkets sell really great sausages that are pure meat, no (or very minimal) fillers. My favourite are Italian sausages because I like the flavour, but you can use any good sausages you want.
This Sausage Pasta is a really great quick meal. Get the pasta water boiling, and meanwhile start the sauce. Pop the pasta in the water and while the pasta is cooking, the sauce will simmer away. If you can handle that multi tasking, you’ll get this dinner on the table in just over 15 minutes. You’ve GOT THIS! – Nagi xx
I love a good sausage recipe!
Sausages are a great shortcut way to a quick tasty meal because they’re loaded with extra flavour. Think beyond just cooking them whole – squeeze the meat out and cook it like mince meat!
Bangers and Mash – Sausage with Onion Gravy
Sausage Bake with Potatoes and Gravy – a one pan recipe
Beef and Sausage Ragu – an incredible luxurious pasta sauce
VOTE FOR THE NEXT FREE E-COOKBOOK!
I have 2 free e-cookbooks that I give away to readers who have joined my free email list as a thank you. It’s been 2 years since I made one, so I’ve decided it’s time to make another one – and you get to choose the theme!
UPDATE: Voting now closed, results are in! The next free cookbook is Asian Takeout at Home. To get the free e-cookbook, just join my free absolutely no strings attached email list – see bottom of the post or on the sidebar!
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Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 g / 0.5 lb spiral pasta (Note 1)
- 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)
Garnish:
- Basil leaves , finely sliced
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook pasta per packet directions MINUS 1 -2 minutes.
- Just before you drain, RESERVE 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Then drain pasta.
- Use a sharp knife to cut sausages into chunks about 1.5cm/3/5″. It will get a bit smeary and the chunks will be weird shapes – don’t worry, it self fixes while cooking!
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add sausages and cook until quite browned on the outside, doesn’t have to be cooked through inside.
- Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes until onion is translucent and sausages are very browned.
- Add tomato, chilli flakes, pinch of salt and pepper. Mix and turn heat down to medium. Lets it bubble away energetically for 8 minutes or until it is quite thickened, stirring every now and then.
- Add baby spinach (if using), pasta, and about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Toss quickly, no longer than 1 minute (otherwise the pasta may start to break).
- Remove from stove, and serve immediately, garnished with plenty of basil and parmesan. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Sausage Pasta recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
Gazing hopefully at my food prep trolley loaded with food…
Amazingly wonderful AND easy! I always change recipes but my only change initially was to up the red pepper flakes to 1.5 teaspoons. NOW – after we loved it so – my change next time will be to DOUBLE it! My husband loved it so much, he wanted it AGAIN the next night! So, I’ll double next time to have ready for his happiness two nights in a row. Thank you, Nagi, for the entertaining blog, the excellent recipes and the photos of Dozer!
That’s terrific to hear Kathryn! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review – N x
Simple, quick and delicious definitely will make it again! Next time I might try to add a splash of cream or full fat milk to the sauce to give it a bit of richness and sweetness…
suggestion for e book: Cajun-creole dishes
Ooohhhhh
I have only just found your blog…can’t believe I haven’t seen it before…but I am already hooked on the meal ideas you provide! Thanks! Actually, I came across it while looking for recipe ideas for my 6 year old granddaughter who loves to cook with her mum or dad. So, my I suggest a Junior Chef theme for your next book 😊
I love that idea! Junior Chef theme!!!! N xx
I would love your version of fresh Thai cooking – Fresh and healthy but extremely tasty! With condiments to match
Tonight I’m making a quick ‘n easy meatballs and Pasta but I really wanted to make a yummy sausage and pasta dish, how crazy is it that this post is here now huh. Little Chef has the exact same look on his face as he stares longingly at “our” food too.
It’s a SIGN, see? It’s calling your name! 😂
I tried, but couldn’t pick one. I couldn’t even pick 7! Those all look like tempting titles. I will, however, second Deborah Wasserman’s idea for a freezer friendly meals e-book at some point. I have a small selection of freezer meals that taste as good defrosted and re-heated as they had when just cooked, but would love more of those, since I have an extra freezer I can load, and freezer-meals “save my bacon” regularly when it gets busy or I’m not in the mood to cook! I make and freeze meatballs At Least once a month, because we love them, but that sausage “meatball” alternative idea for when we run out of meatballs will be greatly appreciated some night!
I’m horrible with being unable to ignore dog-deprivation-expressions. Dozer would look more like a cow if he lived with me! That he looks so good and healthy has me in awe of what a responsible dog person you are!
I will remember that suggest Wynn! I love freezer friendly meals! 🙂 N xx
Other=cheap but tasteful meals(suited for students on a budget)
Thanks for the suggestion Patricia, will bear that one in mind! 🙂 N xx
Maybe a couple, three dog treat Recipes tossed into the book? Ya gotta give “Dude Dozer” some Love/Credit.
GOOD IDEA! No matter which book, I’ll add a doggy treat! N x
PS: I think your Mum should do a recipe book as well Nagi. I’m such a great fan of her as well.
I love pasta and sausage…I make it quite often. One of my easy go to meals. Can’t wait for the new cookbook. Maybe you should call it DOZER’S FAVORITE MEALS 😂😂😂
But then that would be EVERYTHING! 😳
Hi Nagi!
This recipe looks delicious! (Just a note: when I cut up sausages, I usually use kitchen shears. I find that it’s easier than a knife. I also rotate the sausage 45 degrees with each snip of the shears so they don’t get too smooshed on one side. Is that too OCD?)
As for the new e-book, how about dim sum recipes or asian desserts? Although to be perfectly honest, all the suggestions looked great.
Thanks for all your great recipes and especially for the pictures of Dozer!
OCD?? Never! SMART!! 😂
Voted! Can’t wait for the next free ecookbook!
Will be emailed right to you! N xx
Looks great
Soon to try it for myself
Hope you do!! N xx
Voted! can’t wait to see what you come up with!! this recipe looks delish, and i just LOVE Dozer’s face! i think i’m going to have to get used to a little golden interupting my shoots and giving me ‘that look’ soon!
TRAIN HIM!!! 😂
Hi Nagi ! Sausage and pasta. What more is there to say but LOVE.
😂
Love those little sausage meatballs 🙂 Perfect comfort food and easy too – works for me!
You nailed it! 😂
I vote for – Super Seafood! I really struggle to get good recipes – particularly for barbecue calamari/squid rings. Especially also being coeliac 🙁
I love that David! I am really trying to get more seafood on here, I’m just working on my seafood soup! N xx
I love Monday Meatball Mania. Here is Sweden meatball “anything” is a winner. There’s even a cookbook (Köttbullar från hela världen) with over a150 meatball recipes from around the world. So, I’m always glad to share you meatball recipes with my Swedish friends.
Pasta, and sausage, a perfect combination in my mind and a regular in our kitchen. We often use rocket (arugula) instead of spinach.
Hopefully, Dozer got his share of meatballs. Our Chole dog loves both pasta and meatballs and would be right in the middle of that plate given a chance.
An entire cookbook dedicated to meatballs… ❤️
Nagi,you are such a fantabulous source of recipes,and as a daily Pinterest provider,(as in I should be getting a paycheck for the sheer quality and quantity of pins I send their way,EVERY day…takes a breath)!😙How about MY TOP PINS,or MOST PINNED RECIPES.That way,the collection would consist of a variety of recipes for various occasions,as well as meals,etc.?!Also giving the new subscriber a nice idea of what makes your blog such a success,aside from your sheer beauty and Dozers studliness!!
What an amazing idea for a cookbook theme Teri! THANK YOU! ❤️
I’m so excited that a new cook book is coming out!!
It will be emailed right to you if you’re on my email list! N xx