Orecchiette Pasta With Sausage And Spinach

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Italian sausage (Or links, casings removed)

1 medium onion diced

1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt*

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy whipping cream**

340 grams of uncooked Orecchiette pasta ¾ lb

2 cups chopped fresh spinach

¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions:

Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and onion and cook until sausage is browned and onion is softened about 4-5 minutes.

Add garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute.

Add broth and scrape the bottom of the pan if there are any stuck bits, then add the cream. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Add uncooked pasta, stir, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often, until al dente (about 10-15 minutes).

Stir in spinach and Parmesan and serve.

Notes

Ingredient substitutions:

Sausage: you can use mild or spicy sausage, or swap for cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, leftover chopped ham or turkey.

Pasta: obviously I use orecchiette in this recipe, but any short pasta will work!

Cream: heavy cream gives the richest flavor and thickest sauce. You can swap for a lighter cream or whole milk, but the sauce will be slightly thinner.

Vegetarian: make this recipe vegetarian by using vegetable broth, swapping the sausage for white beans, and using a vegetarian cheese.

Storage:

Store: Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.

Freezer: If you are going to freeze pasta, you should allow it to cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Thaw completely before reheating on the stove top with a splash of broth or cream for best results.

Nutrition Information

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use any short pasta of your choice if orecchiette is unavailable.

Is there a substitute for Italian sausage?

You can use mild or spicy sausage, or substitute with cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped ham, or turkey.

Can I use something other than heavy cream?

While heavy cream provides a rich flavor, you can use lighter options like whole milk or a lighter cream, but the sauce will be slightly thinner.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth, substituting the sausage with white beans, and using a vegetarian cheese.

How do I know when the pasta is al dente?

Test the pasta for doneness by sampling a piece.

It should be tender but still have a slight firmness when bitten.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw and drain it before adding to the dish.

How can I prevent the cream from curdling?

Avoid curdling by bringing the cream to a simmer gradually and stirring continuously.

Also, use fresh cream and ensure the heat is not too high.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead and assemble just before serving.

Reheat gently to avoid overcooking.

What type of Parmesan cheese should I use?

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.

Pre-shredded varieties may contain anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.

Can I freeze leftovers?

While the dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers in airtight containers.

Thaw and reheat gently, adding a bit of liquid to maintain the creamy consistency.