Description
This hearty Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake combines tender fusilli, savory turkey sausage, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. It’s a comforting baked pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 cups fusilli (uncooked)
- 1 pound turkey sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup pasta water
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 package (300 g) frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the fusilli according to package instructions, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Slice the turkey sausages lengthwise and remove the meat from the casings.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sausage meat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, reserved pasta water, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the drained spinach and cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and stir until evenly combined.
- In a casserole dish, layer half of the pasta mixture and top with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- For a golden cheesy topping, broil at 500°F for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
- Drain the spinach thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the bake.
- Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese can be substituted for cheddar.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
