Spicy Sausage Pasta

My Spicy Sausage Pasta is quick, easy and kid-friendly too. Originally posted on the blog in 2012, this is one of those recipes I have been making for years, a real family favourite.

You can adjust the amount of spice to suit your family, and there is endless variety to this recipe because you can use absolutely any type of sausage you like. Make a meat free option with your favourite variety of vegetarian or vegan sausages.

My favourite pasta to use for this dish is fresh Pappardelle pasta. The thick pasta ribbons make the dish look really special but you can use any pasta you like for this dish, dried or fresh. Use gluten free pasta if required.

Sneak in Some Extra Veggies

Spicy Sausage Pasta is great comfort food, really wholesome and an easy way to sneak some veggies into your kids too, especially if you use homemade tomato sauce or pure passata (sieved tomatoes). Of course you can also switch up the veggies, substituting any colour pepper for the red pepper, or use another vegetable like zucchini (courgettes) instead. It goes without saying you can add extra vegetables as well. Sometimes I use red pepper and zucchini, or multiple colours of peppers.

Can I Make Spicy Sausage Pasta as a Casserole?

Yes! Spicy Sausage Pasta also works as a casserole, perfect for those nights when you are not sure exactly what time dinner is going to be. Simply make the recipe with a firmer pasta shape like penne. When the pasta and sauce are both cooked, mix them together and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with cheddar, Parmesan, or Mozzarella cheese (or a combination of any of these) and pop it in the oven at about 350°F (175°C or 165°C for fan ovens) for a few minutes until the cheese melts.

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

If you use gluten free sausages and gluten free pasta, this recipe can be gluten free. Alternatively, the sauce is delicious served over rice.

How Can I Make Spicy Sausage Pasta Vegan or Vegetarian?

Simply use vegetarian or vegan sausage!

What About Leftovers?

If you make the recipe as written, just cool any extra sauce separately and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. Reheat until piping hot before serving and serve with fresh or leftover pasta.

If you make the recipe as a casserole as detailed above, cool any leftovers as quickly as possible and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Reheat until piping hot before serving.

The Perfect Recipe for Busy Evenings

Versatile, easy and delicious…Spicy Sausage Pasta is the perfect recipe for busy evenings.

Spicy Sausage Pasta  – Printable Recipe

Created by: April J Harris

Spicy Sausage Pasta

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 8 thick sausages or 12 thinner ones quantity will depend on age and appetite of the diners
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 red pepper, de-seeded and cut in thin slices
• 3 cups tomato sauce or pasatta
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• from a pinch to ¼ teaspoon dried crushed chilis
• 1 pound fresh or dried Pappardelle pasta
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the sausages on a baking sheet or in a baking dish for 15 – 20 minutes until nearly cooked through.
• Remove the sausages from the oven. When they are cool enough to handle, cut each sausage in two or three pieces. You want bite-size chunks.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil for the pasta.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan with a lid over medium heat.
• Sauté the onion until it begins to become translucent.
• Grate in the garlic and add the red peppers.
• Cook for a minute or two.
• Add the cooked sausage pieces, tomato sauce, oregano and chilis.
• Stir through, lower the heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure the sausages are cooked through.
• While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Drain the pasta and divide between four bowls or plates.
• Serve topped with the Spicy Sausage Sauce, and grated Parmesan cheese, if liked.

Notes

To make the recipe as a casserole – After the pasta and sauce are cooked, mix them together and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with cheddar, Parmesan, or Mozzarella cheese (or a combination of any of these) and pop it in the oven at about 350°F (175°C or 165°C for fan ovens) for a few minutes until the cheese melts.

Equipment

• 1 baking sheet
• 1 rectangular baking dish if making as a casserole or to bake the sausages
• 1 large frying pan
• 1 large saucepan or pasta pot
• 1 turner spatula
• 4 pasta bowls to serve

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