Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
A hearty pasta dish with savory Italian sausage, plump sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of garlic, all tossed in a simple tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces spaghetti, pound Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 cloves minced garlic to the skillet, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup marinara sauce and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then add the drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat the pasta and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Serve immediately with fresh basil for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ounces spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect pasta recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
