Easy Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe That Wows Every Time

Orecchiette with sausage and spinach represents a delightful harmony of rustic Italian culinary traditions.

Compact, ear-shaped pasta cradles robust flavors that dance across your palate with surprising intensity.

Southern Italian kitchens perfected this remarkable combination of hearty ingredients long ago.

Vibrant green spinach brings a fresh contrast to rich, savory sausage, creating a balanced meal that feels simultaneously comforting and sophisticated.

Mediterranean ingredients merge seamlessly in this simple yet elegant dish that changes humble components into something extraordinary.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together without sacrificing depth of flavor.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through classic flavor profiles that feel both familiar and exciting.

Pasta Cooking Tips for Better Texture

• Pasta Perfect: Choose high-quality orecchiette with a nice cup-like shape to hold the sauce beautifully.
• Sausage Sear: Brown the sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and create delicious caramelized edges.
• Wine Wisdom: Use a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for the best balance of acidity and depth.
• Spinach Swift: Add spinach at the last moment to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking.
• Cheese Control: Freshly grated Parmesan provides maximum flavor, so avoid pre-grated alternatives for the best taste.

Reheat Your Orecchiette the Right Way

• Storing Leftovers: Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Fresh ingredients like sausage and spinach maintain best quality when stored for 3-4 days.
• Refrigerator Storage: Keep leftovers sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor. Place container in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
• Reheating Method: Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently to redistribute sauce and prevent sticking. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly. Avoid overheating to preserve pasta's texture and prevent rubberiness.

Flavors That Match Orecchiette Well

• Elevate with Red Wine Companion: Pair this hearty pasta dish with a robust Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese. These medium-bodied wines complement the rich sausage and cut through the dish's richness with their tangy acidity.
• Boost with Fresh Salad Sidekick: Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's warmth. The peppery greens and bright citrus notes will refresh the palate between bites of the savory sausage mixture.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread Partner: Serve a rustic Italian ciabatta or focaccia bread alongside the dish. These breads are perfect for soaking up the delicious pan juices and adding a delightful textural contrast to the creamy pasta.
• Crown with Parmesan Cheese Finale: Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano over the top. This adds a salty, nutty finish that elevates the entire flavor profile of the orecchiette and sausage combination.

Orecchiette Recipes with a Twist

• Smoky Chorizo Edition: Swap Italian sausage with spicy chorizo for a bold, smoky flavor profile. Add roasted red peppers for extra depth and color.
• Mediterranean Lamb Remix: Replace pork sausage with ground lamb. Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and fresh mint leaves to enhance Mediterranean undertones.
• Vegetarian Green Harmony: Substitute sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms. Use smoked paprika to maintain a rich, meaty essence while keeping the dish completely vegetarian.
• Creamy Kale Fusion: Replace spinach with chopped kale for a heartier texture. Stir in a splash of heavy cream just before serving to create a luxurious sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

Sausage and Spinach Pasta That Pops

• Savor Quick Comfort: This one-pan meal transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious but don't have hours to cook.
• Embrace Flavor Layers: The combination of spicy sausage, earthy spinach, and tangy Dijon mustard creates a complex taste profile that dances across your palate, while the white wine reduction adds a sophisticated depth to every bite.
• Master Simple Technique: With minimal chopping and a straightforward cooking method, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels, offering an approachable way to create a restaurant-quality meal without intimidating steps or specialized equipment.
• Enjoy Versatile Meal: Adaptable to different dietary preferences, you can easily swap pork sausage for chicken or plant-based alternatives, making it a flexible dish that can be customized to suit various tastes and nutritional needs.

What Goes into Orecchiette with Spinach

• Orecchiette Pasta: Classic Italian ear-shaped pasta perfect for catching sauce and ingredients.

• Sweet Italian Sausage: Flavorful meat that provides richness and depth to the dish.
• Onion: Adds sweet and savory base notes to the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic intensity and classic Italian flavor profile.

• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity and helps create smooth sauce.
• White Wine: Provides acidity and helps deglaze the pan for extra flavor.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds nutritious green element and light texture.
• Fresh Basil: Brings bright, herbal notes to complete the dish.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing overall taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional topping that adds salty, nutty finish.

How to Make Orecchiette Pasta at Home

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook orecchiette pasta until perfectly al dente, following package instructions carefully.

Step 2: Brown Sausage and Onions

In a spacious skillet, cook sausage and onions over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Ensure the sausage is completely browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Flavors

• Minced garlic
• Dijon mustard

Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Reduce Wine

Pour in white wine and let it simmer, reducing by half (approximately 1-2 minutes).

Step 5: Wilt Greens

Introduce spinach and fresh basil to the skillet. Stir until spinach completely wilts and becomes tender.

Step 6: Combine and Toss

Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the sausage mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated with the flavorful sauce.

Step 7: Season and Serve

Season with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Orecchiette With Sausage And Spinach Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach brings Italian countryside comfort to your kitchen. Hearty Italian sausage mingles with tender spinach, creating a rustic pasta experience that connects Mediterranean flavors with home-style cooking you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) Italian sausage (casings removed, if applicable)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked orecchiette pasta
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach, packed

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup dry white wine

Garnish and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat a generously salted large pot of water and cook orecchiette pasta until perfectly tender, following package timing for al dente texture (typically 8-9 minutes).
2. Sear Italian sausage and diced onions in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, continuously stirring until meat browns completely and onions soften, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Drain any accumulated excess fat from the skillet to prevent greasy finish.
4. Reduce cooking temperature to medium and introduce minced garlic and Dijon mustard, allowing aromatics to bloom for 30-45 seconds while releasing intense flavors.
5. Deglaze the skillet with white wine, allowing liquid to reduce by half and concentrate the underlying flavor profile, which requires approximately 1-2 minutes of simmering.
6. Gently fold fresh spinach and chopped basil into the sausage mixture, stirring until greens wilt and become vibrant and tender.
7. Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet, tossing thoroughly to ensure every orecchiette is generously coated with the rich, savory sauce.
8. Season comprehensively with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance overall taste.
9. Optional: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for additional depth and creaminess before serving hot.

Notes

• Pasta water is crucial for creating a silky sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to orecchiette’s unique shape.
• Thoroughly brown sausage to develop deep, rich flavors that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Use fresh spinach for vibrant color and maximum nutritional benefits, wilting it quickly to preserve its bright green hue.
• White wine adds sophisticated acidity and helps deglaze the pan, capturing all the delicious browned bits from cooking sausage.
• Dijon mustard provides subtle tang and complexity, blending seamlessly with the savory sausage and herbaceous basil.
• Finish with freshly grated Parmesan for a salty, umami-rich topping that transforms this simple pasta into a restaurant-quality meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg