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A bowl of simple sausage pasta dinner with a rich tomato sauce

Classic Simple Sausage Pasta Dinner

A comforting and easy-to-make pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and flavorful herbs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sausage
  • 1 pound pasta penne, fusilli, or rotini recommended
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage mild or spicy
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water optional but recommended
Garnish (Optional)
  • fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Brown Italian sausage in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks, then drain excess grease.
  3. Sauté chopped onion in the skillet until softened, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, covered, to meld flavors.
  5. Combine cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed for consistency; toss well and serve with basil or Parmesan.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the sauce for added nutrition and flavor. Adjust the spice level of the sausage to your preference. The reserved pasta water is key for achieving a silky sauce texture.