Sausage Pesto Pasta

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  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    25 mins

  • Servings

    4 people

  • Calories

    717 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Sausage Pesto Pasta

Quick and easy sausage pesto pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 8 ounces rigatoni (or other short pasta shape)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup total)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed (about 1 teaspoon total)
  • 1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo Sauce
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh baby spinach
  • ¼ cup oil-packed chopped sundried tomatoes, drained
  • 3 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
  • ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnish: additional grated Parmesan cheese; chopped fresh herbs such as basil or parsley

Instructions

  1. In a large pot of well-salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage and onion. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain off excess grease.
  3. Stir in the cooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, spinach, sundried tomatoes, pesto, Parmesan, basil, parsley flakes, oregano, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (these are spicy, so use sparingly). Stir until well combined.
  4. Cook over low heat, just until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through. Gradually add small amounts of the reserved pasta cooking water, just until the sauce reaches the desired consistency (you will not need all of the water). Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Divide between individual bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, extra red pepper flakes, and/or chopped fresh herbs.

Notes

  • Salt the pasta water well. This is your chance to season the noodles, and the salty water also flavors the sauce at the end.
  • Boil the pasta just until it's al dente (tender, but with a firm bite). It will continue to cook in the pot with the sausage and other ingredients, and you don't want to end up with mushy, overdone noodles.
  • Don't forget to reserve the starchy pasta cooking water, which you'll need to add to the sauce at the end.
  • Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese is best for flavor and texture, but in a pinch you can substitute with a can of powdered, pre-grated Parmesan.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1/4 of the recipe Calories 717kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Sodium 1054mg (44%) Potassium 731mg (21%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1043IU (21%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 150mg (15%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 717 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of the recipe
Calories 717kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 1054mg 44%
Potassium 731mg 16%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1043IU 21%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 150mg 15%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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