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Quick Spicy Pasta with Italian Sausage

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A fast and flavorful pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage and a robust tomato sauce, ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something bold and comforting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta (gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • A handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup water or broth (120 ml), to loosen sauce if needed

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned and crispy on edges. Add a splash of water if pan gets too dry.
  3. Remove excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Add ½ cup water or broth to loosen the sauce if it looks too thick.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a pinch of sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  7. Drain pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water. Add pasta directly to the sauce and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if sauce feels dry.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and extra red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Remove casing from sausage for best texture. Brown sausage well for crispy edges. Add garlic after onions soften to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Adjust spice level with red pepper flakes. Sauce can be prepped ahead and reheated. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Parmesan cheese is optional but recommended.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick pasta, spicy pasta, Italian sausage, easy dinner, weeknight meal, penne pasta, rigatoni, spicy tomato sauce

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/quick-spicy-pasta-with-italian-sausage-recipe-easy-25-minute-dinner/