🍝 30-Minute Italian Sausage Spaghetti 🍅
Quick, flavorful, and packed with garlicky marinara, juicy sausage, and fresh veggies—this is weeknight dinner magic!
⏰ Time
- Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 30 mins
- Serves: 4
📝 Ingredients
Main:
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti (or linguine)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (hot or mild)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pint (300g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 2 cups (480ml) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup (120ml) pasta water, reserved
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan + extra for serving
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente (reserve ½ cup pasta water), then drain.
2️⃣ Sauté Sausage & Veggies
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage, breaking it into crumbles. Cook until browned (~5 mins).
- Add garlic, cherry tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Sauté 2 mins until tomatoes soften.
- Stir in spinach until wilted (~1 min).
3️⃣ Combine & Finish
- Pour in marinara sauce and pasta water. Simmer 2-3 mins.
- Toss in cooked spaghetti and Parmesan. Stir until coated.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra cheese.
🌟 Pro Tips
- Extra richness: Stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end.
- Veggie boost: Add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the tomatoes.
- Shortcut: Use pre-cooked sausage (add with marinara).
🍽 Serving Ideas
🥖 Serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.
🍷 Pair with Chianti or sparkling water with lemon.
Leftovers? Reheat with a splash of water to revive the sauce!
Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ One pan, minimal cleanup.
✔️ Balanced flavors—savory sausage, sweet tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
✔️ Kid-friendly (skip the red pepper flakes).
Perfect for busy nights when you crave comfort food FAST! 😋
Want it creamy? Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream with the marinara! 🥛
