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
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Sausage Bake with Potatoes and Gravy – a one pan recipe
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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…
Kimberley Tonkin says
I would love your version of fresh Thai cooking – Fresh and healthy but extremely tasty! With condiments to match
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
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.
Nagi says
It’s a SIGN, see? It’s calling your name! 😂
Wynn says
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!
Nagi says
I will remember that suggest Wynn! I love freezer friendly meals! 🙂 N xx
Patricia B says
Other=cheap but tasteful meals(suited for students on a budget)
Nagi says
Thanks for the suggestion Patricia, will bear that one in mind! 🙂 N xx
Blaine (Jypsy's Dad) says
Maybe a couple, three dog treat Recipes tossed into the book? Ya gotta give “Dude Dozer” some Love/Credit.
Nagi says
GOOD IDEA! No matter which book, I’ll add a doggy treat! N x
Pauline Day says
PS: I think your Mum should do a recipe book as well Nagi. I’m such a great fan of her as well.
Pauline Day says
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 😂😂😂
Nagi says
But then that would be EVERYTHING! 😳
Rose says
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!
Nagi says
OCD?? Never! SMART!! 😂
Trish @ Spoonful of Butter says
Voted! Can’t wait for the next free ecookbook!
Nagi says
Will be emailed right to you! N xx
Willie Harvey says
Looks great
Soon to try it for myself
Nagi says
Hope you do!! N xx
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen says
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!
Nagi says
TRAIN HIM!!! 😂
Linda says
Hi Nagi ! Sausage and pasta. What more is there to say but LOVE.
Nagi says
😂
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
Love those little sausage meatballs 🙂 Perfect comfort food and easy too – works for me!
Nagi says
You nailed it! 😂
David Sutherland says
I vote for – Super Seafood! I really struggle to get good recipes – particularly for barbecue calamari/squid rings. Especially also being coeliac 🙁
Nagi says
I love that David! I am really trying to get more seafood on here, I’m just working on my seafood soup! N xx
Ron says
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.
Nagi says
An entire cookbook dedicated to meatballs… ❤️
Teri Giese says
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!!
Nagi says
What an amazing idea for a cookbook theme Teri! THANK YOU! ❤️
Zoe says
I’m so excited that a new cook book is coming out!!
Nagi says
It will be emailed right to you if you’re on my email list! N xx
Karly says
Sausage and pasta- two things I just can’t walk away from. Especially when they’re together… then it’s like they’re calling my name. I’m in love!
Nagi says
I know, right? 😂
Joyce says
I love pasta, and this looks delicious. I will make it for my 1/2 Italian husband, who always thinks he know best when it comes to pasta! Let’s see if we can fool him!!
I just love the look on Dozers face. Bless him, he isn’t even drooling. Just waiting patiently for his human to give him a taste.
Nagi says
OOOH I hope hubby approves!!! 🙂 N xx
Bart says
Nagi,
My wife has been doing this for a number of years. We do a lot of touring camping through the outback and this is a staple. She also uses cevapi (skinless sausages). She cook the snags first while the pasta is cooking , cuts the to bite size and then combines the tomatoes etc. in the fry pan with the pasta going in last. Yum
Nagi says
I love that! Where in the outback do you go?? 🙂 N xx
Bart says
Nagi,
Anywhere but Sydney 😁
Deb and I like to tour. Our last trip was Birdsville Track onto Lawn Hill NP to Kurumba on the Gulf and back to Geelong via Burke in 3 weeks. I note that about half of the meal recipes orginated from a website of some sheila in Sydney. We have found your recipe ideas work really well in our camper and fit well in the limited ingredient selection that is available in the more remote parts.
Have you considered doing a seies using “tinned muck”?
Bart
Nagi says
Tinned…..muck???!! 🤔
Bart says
When you are 100’s of k’s away from fresh food and have to rely on tinned and dried food. The “tinned muck” is a reference an old old tv ad. I received my first old fart letter last week and so my memories go back decades. My humour can be a bit obscure at times.