Description
Hearty skillet sausage and peppers pasta delivers robust Italian-inspired comfort. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this satisfying Mediterranean-style meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage
- 8 oz (226 g) uncooked pasta (bucatini recommended)
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy/whipping cream
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil and cook pasta until perfectly al dente according to package directions.
- Sausage Browning: In a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly brown sausage, methodically breaking it into fine crumbles. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Vegetable Sautéing: Using the same skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers in olive oil until onions turn golden and peppers soften, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
- Sauce Foundation: Reduce heat and melt butter with garlic, then sprinkle flour, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux without any lumps.
- Sauce Development: Pour in cream and Dijon mustard, whisking consistently to produce a silky, rich sauce that thickens within a minute.
- Final Incorporation: Return sausage to the skillet, add spinach, and stir until leaves wilt completely. Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Finishing Touch: Add pasta to the skillet, tossing vigorously to ensure every strand is luxuriously coated with the creamy mixture. Season with salt and black pepper, then top with freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
Notes
- Pasta Water Power: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining to help create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly clings to noodles.
- Sausage Sizzle Technique: Brown sausage thoroughly and drain excess fat to ensure a crispy texture and prevent greasy sauce.
- Garlic Guard: Add garlic after onions and peppers to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste and ruin the sauce’s delicate flavor profile.
- Cheese Finishing Touch: Freshly grated parmesan melts better and provides a more intense flavor compared to pre-packaged grated cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg