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
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook pasta per packet directions MINUS 1 -2 minutes.
- 2
Just before you drain, RESERVE 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Then drain pasta.
- 3
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!
- 4
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.
- 5
Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes until onion is translucent and sausages are very browned.
- 6
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.
- 7
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).
- 8
Remove from stove, and serve immediately, garnished with plenty of basil and parmesan. Enjoy!
