Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
This Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage is a simple dinner recipe packed with flavor and a bit of spice! Perfect for the nights you want something a bit different, but you still want pasta. A great recipe to meal prep too!
Servings: 8
Calories: 534kcal
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Rigatoni, or short pasta
- 4 Italian sausages
- 1 8 oz. jar sun dried tomatoes (in oil)
- ⅓ c Extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 large handfuls baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper more or less based on desired spice
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine sun-dried tomatoes (including oil), olive oil, oregano, garlic, red pepper, black pepper, cayenne and sea salt in a food processor. Pulse for 5 seconds at a time until a thick but chunky, sauce-like consistency. Slowly add in more olive oil, if necessary, until desired consistency.
- Cook sausages. Add an inch of water to a skillet and simmer sausages covered for about 10-12 minutes flipping halfway until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Drain the water and allow to brown ad desired. When fully cooked, slice into ½ inch pieces and set aside.
- While the sausages are cooking, cook pasta according to box instructions.
- After pasta is cooked, drain water, toss with spinach to wilt. Then add sun-dried tomato mixture and sausages and toss to coat evenly. Heat for 2-3 minutes on low or until ready to serve.
- Serve with freshly grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the spice to your liking--try to start small and then add as you like. This sauce is on the spicy side. You know what you love!
- Make this a vegetarian meal, or even vegan. Use a plant-based sausage and skip parmesan on top. You are all set!
- When re-heating leftovers, toss with an extra drizzle of olive oil if the pasta seems a bit dry.
Nutrition
Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 717mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg