Description
This Italian Sausage Spaghetti is a flavorful and hearty pasta dish made with juicy Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that delivers bold Italian flavors with minimal effort. The combination of savory sausage, garlic, and herbs makes this dish irresistible. Serve it with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Water for boiling
- 1 tsp salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- ½ cup water (or red wine for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles with a spoon. Remove excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir in water (or red wine), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Mix well.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.
- Combine: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing until well coated.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use turkey or chicken Italian sausage.
- Swap out spaghetti for whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- Add bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian