Sausage Spaghetti is a hearty, flavorful pasta dish made with crumbled sausage simmered in a rich tomato sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a satisfying, no-fuss meal that’s bursting with savory flavor and perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners.
Sausage Spaghetti
Why This Sausage Spaghetti Is the Best
- Savory, Juicy Sausage: Adds deep, meaty flavor to the sauce that ground beef just can’t match.
- Bold Tomato Sauce: Simmered with garlic, onions, and Italian herbs for rich flavor.
- Perfect Pasta Pairing: Spaghetti holds the sauce beautifully and brings everything together.
- Simple but Packed with Flavor: Just a few ingredients come together for maximum impact.
- Easy to Customize: Add veggies or spice it up with chili flakes.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Sausage Spaghetti is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even casual get-togethers. It’s classic, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredient Notes
- Italian Sausage Links (Hot or Sweet): The main protein, adding bold, savory flavor with either a spicy kick or a sweeter, herby profile depending on your choice.
- Olive Oil: Used to sear the sausage and sauté the veggies, adding a smooth richness to the dish.
- Chicken Broth: Deglazes the pan and adds depth, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Butter: Adds richness and a silky mouthfeel, helping blend the flavors in the sauce.
- Yellow Onion: Brings natural sweetness and aromatic depth as it softens into the sauce.
- Bell Pepper (Red and Green): Adds sweetness, crunch, and vibrant color to balance the hearty sausage and sauce.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with a strong, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall savoriness.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Deepens the umami and adds a subtle tangy complexity to the sauce.
- Honey: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes with a hint of sweetness for a more rounded flavor.
- Dried Oregano, Basil, Mustard Powder: A classic Italian herb blend and spice combo that brings warmth, earthiness, and subtle heat.
- Diced Tomatoes (Undrained): Adds texture and brightness to the sauce with juicy tomato chunks.
- Chicken Bouillon Cube: Intensifies the flavor with a savory, concentrated chicken essence.
- Marinara Sauce: Forms the rich, tomatoey foundation of the dish, tying all the flavors together.
- Cream Cheese (Room Temp): Adds a touch of creaminess and slight tang, making the sauce extra smooth and luscious.
- Baby Spinach: Adds a pop of color and mild earthiness, lightening the dish slightly and packing in nutrients.
- Spaghetti: The perfect base to soak up the bold, meaty sauce with every twirl.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: A finishing touch of salty, nutty flavor that enhances the whole dish when sprinkled on top.
Tips for Making the Best Sausage Spaghetti
- Use Quality Sausage: Italian sausage (mild or spicy) brings the best flavor—remove the casings if needed.
- Let the Sauce Simmer: Give it time to thicken and develop deeper flavor.
- Reserve Pasta Water: It helps loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Toss Before Serving: Mix the pasta and sauce together before plating for even coating.
- Top with Parmesan and Basil: Adds freshness and a salty, cheesy finish.
Serving Suggestions
- With Garlic Bread: Perfect for scooping up the saucy goodness.
- With a Side Salad: A crisp Caesar or Italian salad balances the richness.
- With Roasted Vegetables: Like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Topped with Crushed Red Pepper: For a kick of heat.
A Must Try
Meaty, saucy, and ultra-satisfying, Sausage Spaghetti is a comforting classic with a flavorful twist. The sausage gives the sauce a savory boost that makes it taste like it simmered all day. Whether you’re cooking for the family or just want a cozy bowl of pasta, this dish hits the spot every time.
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
Sausage Spaghetti
Sausage Spaghetti is a bold, comforting pasta dish loaded with Italian sausage, creamy marinara, peppers, and spinach over perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage links hot or sweet
- ¾ lb. spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp honey counteracts the acidity
- ¾ tsp EACH: Dried oregano basil, mustard powder
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 32 oz. marinara sauce
- 2 tbsps cream cheese at room temp
- 2 cups packed baby spinach
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Quick Tip: Grab a large, high-walled skillet (at least 3.5 quarts) for this recipe—it needs to hold both the sauce and pasta! A big soup pot works too if that’s what you have on hand.
- Start by removing the casings from the sausage links and cutting them into ¾-inch slices. Want to get fancy? You can roll them into little meatballs if you like!
- Pour 6 tablespoons of water into your skillet and heat it over medium. Add the sausage, cover it up, and let it cook for 10 minutes, giving it a stir halfway through so everything cooks evenly.
- After 10 minutes, take off the lid and turn the heat up just a bit. Add a splash of olive oil and cook the sausage until it’s nicely browned—this should take about 5 minutes. Once they’re golden and delicious, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside for now.
- While you get started on the sauce, go ahead and bring a big pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once it’s bubbling away, toss in some salt.
- Now, turn off the heat under your skillet and pour in the broth. Turn the heat back on to medium, then grab a silicone spatula and scrape up all the tasty browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan—this adds a ton of flavor to your sauce! Let it simmer and reduce by about half, which should take 4 minutes.
- Next, add in the butter, onions, peppers, and garlic. Let everything cook down and soften for about 5 minutes—your kitchen should start smelling amazing!
- Now it’s time to really build that flavor: stir in the Worcestershire sauce, honey, oregano, basil, mustard powder, diced tomatoes, ½ a bouillon cube, and the marinara sauce.
- Give everything a good mix, bring it to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Add your cooked sausage back in and stir it all together—this sauce is going to be rich, savory, and packed with flavor!
- Let the sauce simmer gently, partially covered, while you cook the spaghetti until it’s al dente—just follow the package instructions. Once it’s done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Next, stir in the cream cheese and toss in the spinach. Let everything heat through for 3 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and the sauce is creamy and dreamy.
- Now, add the spaghetti straight into the sauce a bit at a time until you get the perfect balance—keep in mind the pasta will soak up some of that saucy goodness as it sits. (I usually add just under ¾ pound.)
- Top it off with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese and dig in!
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Sausage Spaghetti