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This simple orecchiette with sausage and spinach recipe has a tasty Italian sausage, spinach, garlic, and white wine sauce. It’s on your table in about 30 minutes!
Try my Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta, this Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta, or one pot Italian Sausage Orzo next.
Why you’ll love it
This orecchiette pasta is an easy recipe that feels fancy but takes only half an hour to make. It’s actually kind of amazing just how much rich taste is packed into this pasta since it has very few ingredients!
Did you know that orecchiette literally translates to “little ears”? I don’t cook with it very often, but it’s definitely a fun pasta shape to keep in your pantry. I think you’ll love this orecchiette pasta recipe since it’s the ideal pasta shape to hold the tasty white wine sauce from scratch.
What you’ll need
- Orecchiette – you can use any shape you prefer, preferably a smaller one, but it’s worth using orecchiette here if you can find it! They’re perfect little bowls for the sauce.
- Italian sausage – I used mild, but you could use hot to kick it up a notch
- Onion and garlic – I like using sweet (Vidalia) onions
- Dijon mustard – it isn’t overpowering, and it’s my favorite way to infuse a fantastic savory quality
- White wine – I recommend using a good dry white wine that you’d actually drink (not cooking wine). Try a sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.
- Spinach – a pop of freshness
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I use this garlic press to crush the garlic. No peeling of the cloves is needed.
- My Microplane zester is what I use to grate the parmesan.
- Tongs are extremely useful to make tossing the spinach until it wilts easier, and here is the skillet I use.
How to make orecchiette with sausage
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, add the crumbled sausage and onion to a skillet. Cook until nicely browned. Stir in the garlic, followed by the Dijon mustard and then the white wine.
Let it reduce for a minute or two, then add in the spinach and toss until wilted. Add the drained pasta, toss again, and season with salt & pepper. Serve with freshly grated parmesan if using.
Substitutions and variations
- If you want some spice, use hot Italian sausage and/or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- You could swap the wine for chicken broth if you need to. In that case, you may want to double the Dijon mustard.
- This recipe is very flexible. You could throw in mushrooms or other veggies if you happen to have some that need using up to make this sauce for orecchiette your own.
- There is no cream in this recipe, but adding a splash towards the end of cooking would be a tasty addition.
- You can absolutely use kale or broccoli rabe instead of the spinach!
What to serve with orecchiette pasta
- It’s a perfect meal on its own with a glass of white wine and a slice of crusty bread!
- You can also pair it with a nice side salad. Try my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad, or throw some mixed greens together with my homemade Olive Garden Italian Dressing.
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers of this pasta will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- If you want to freeze leftovers, keep in mind the pasta and spinach won’t be as good thawed as when freshly made, but it should be ok.
- Reheat over a low heat in a small saucepan until warmed through.
Hope you love this easy orecchiette pasta recipe! Questions? Did you make it? Leave me a star rating and review below! You can also find me on Instagram.
Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked orecchiette pasta
- 16 ounces Italian sausage see note
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil optional
- Salt & pepper to taste
- For serving: freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large salted pot of water and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, add the sausage meat and onion to a skillet, and sauté over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until it's cooked through and nicely browned. If there's more than about 1-2 tablespoons of fat left in the skillet, spoon out the excess, but be sure to leave some since we're not adding any extra butter or oil.
- Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the garlic and Dijon mustard, and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the wine and cook until reduced by half (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add in the spinach and basil (if using). Toss, using tongs or two large spoons, until the spinach has wilted, then add in the drained pasta and toss again.
- Season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese over top if desired.
Notes
- Use either ground sausage meat or buy sausages and take the meat out of the casings. There is quite a lot of sausage in the sauce, so you could definitely get away with using a bit less than the full pound.
- This recipe also appears in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
CAN THIS BEMADE AHEAD AND THEN WARM IN OVEN?
You could try, but just be careful not to cook it too long or it’ll dry out and the pasta will get overcooked.
This is a keeper!
Delicious! I was looking for a copycat recipe for a Costco meal that we love. It was discontinued, and we had to have it. Suggestions: 1. Use sweet Italian Sausage if available. We like it with the casings removed and cut into small pieces. 2. Use plenty of spinach. The more the better – it wilts down dramatically. Add cherry tomatoes if you like tomatoes. It’s a great addition. My husband hates tomatoes so I didn’t add it this time- I really missed them. In the future I’ll add them and he can take them out.
We’re thrilled it reminded you of one of your favorites, Jennifer! Thanks so much for leaving a review 🙂
I also love the pasta at Costco and that’s what lead me here! So funny to hear that was the same for you. Thank you for the extra tips to make it like my beloved Costco pasta!!
This is SO GOOD and EASY. I’ve made it several times and passed the recipe on to friends and family.
I’m so pleased it’s a hit, Sasha!! 🙂 Really appreciate the shares!
Really good as is but would highly recommend adding cherry tomatoes and steamed artichoke hearts
Fab additions!!
This was delicious! I did add a splash of heavy cream. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Martha! 😀
Great recipe! Would def make again. I have so much left over (just two eaters tonight). Can I freeze the leftovers? Thx!
I’m so pleased you liked it, Amy! I’d say you can definitely try freezing the leftovers, but sometimes thawed cooked pasta and wilted spinach isn’t quite as good as fresh.
Yummy and simple to make!
🙂
Super yummy recipe!! I took some of the options that were listed, such as chicken broth, in place of wine, and at I did add some cream at the end, definitely added some creaminess, and just added to the already deliciousness of the recipe!
Highly recommend!
So glad you enjoyed it, Deb!
This was my first Salt & Lavender recipe and WOW! It was absolutely incredible and so easy. I’ve made this twice now and it has since become a family favorite. Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe!
Aww I’m so happy to hear that!! 😀 I appreciate your 5-star review, Rebecca.
This was really really tasty, and simply to make. Went a good bit heavier with the Dijon – probably more than a tablespoon – which complimented the sweet Italian sausage well. And they were out of basil so I used thyme. Definitely making again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! Thanks for your review, Wayne!