I’ve been doing the 45 minute (sometimes an hour) commute for a few weeks now. I thought it might get better but it hasn’t. I mentioned before that I have been trying to find ways to save time on things in my life including cooking. Quick weeknight dinners, like this Skillet Sausage and Spinach Pasta, that have leftovers to eat for lunch is key now that I have less time in my weeks.

Skillet Sausage and Spinach Pasta

This past week Skillet Sausage and Spinach Pasta was on our menu. One skillet meals have become my best friend lately. I love that you only dirty one pot instead of 5. I love that this pasta dish is done and on the table in under 30 minutes. I love that my husband and son eat their plates clean and ask for seconds. Enough with the “I loves” but really the list could go on.

I found a recipe on Iowa Girl Eats website and modified it a little bit to what I had in my cupboard. I think that is really important when making a quick last minute meal. If you don’t have the exact ingredients just modify the recipe. For example I didn’t have the already cooked sausage that the recipe called for so I used an Italian Sausage I had in the freezer. Instead of using rotel I used a can of stewed cherry tomatoes that I had in my pantry. Be creative and use up what you have on hand.

This Skillet Sausage and Spinach Pasta dish is really that easy and the flavors are great together. The original recipe was spicier but my 2 year old tends to not like really spicy food so I used a mild sausage and tried to keep the spice down in the dish.

One Pot Sausage and Spinach Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 1x
Category: Pasta, Entree

Description

An easy one pot sausage and spinach pasta meal topped with spinach and mozzarella cheese.

Scale

Ingredients

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 lb. sausage (I used spicy Italian but use what you want)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
1/2 cup half and half
1–15oz can of diced tomatoes
6 pieces of fresh basil, chopped (or 2 teaspoons of dried basil)
6 oz whole wheat rotini pasta (or pasta of your choice)
6 oz spinach
shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet to medium high. Add sausage and cook until browned (about 10 minutes).
Add onion and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
Turn the heat to high and add red pepper, chicken broth, half and half, diced tomatoes and basil and stir bringing to a boil.
Add pasta and continue to stir. Place lid on the skillet and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally (you want the pasta to be al dente as it will continue to cook once you remove it from the stove).
Turn heat to low and add spinach stirring until wilted.
Serve pasta in separate bowls with mozzarella cheese on top.

Notes

This recipe makes 6 servings but refrigerates great for leftovers throughout the week. Feel free to use whatever sausage you want–spicy, turkey, pork. If you buy already cooked sausage then you can skip step one and just add the cooked sausage, onion and garlic into a pot and go from there.

Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats from Kevin & Amanda

Julia

Comments

Liz says
June 27, 2013 at 2:17 pm

Nice recipe. I love “Iowa Girl Eats” and all of her recipes are great.

- Julia says
  June 27, 2013 at 4:01 pm
  
  Thanks Liz! I love her too–she has great quick and easy weeknight recipes which I love.
  
Jeanette says
June 27, 2013 at 7:23 pm

You are a busy girl! Great idea, not only making sure dinner is easy to make, but that you have extras for lunch the next day.

- Julia says
  June 27, 2013 at 8:39 pm
  
  I know! That’s the only way I can get through the crazy week and not eat out every night! 🙂
  
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
June 27, 2013 at 10:48 pm

This looks so good! I love this kind of pasta dish. Definitely pinning to try for one of those nights when I just don’t feel much like cooking and want a week’s worth of leftovers!
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out recently posted..Roasted Strawberry Sourdough Muffins

- Julia says
  June 28, 2013 at 9:10 am
  
  I hope you like it!! Let me know how it turns out.
  
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
June 28, 2013 at 12:48 am

What beautiful photos and I want to eat everything!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

- Julia says
  June 28, 2013 at 9:10 am
  
  Thanks Maureen!
  
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says
June 28, 2013 at 6:53 am

One pot meals are the perfect ending to a busy day! Looks so tasty!
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon recently posted..Bootleg

- Julia says
  June 28, 2013 at 9:10 am
  
  I agree! Thanks Lisa!
  
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
July 1, 2013 at 10:31 am

I love one pot dishes! So does my husband since he is usually the one in charge of clean up. We made a deal a long time ago, I cook, he washes dishes. That ride to DG can be brutal some times. 294 locks up at random times. Hang in there hopefully they will have you working from home before you know it!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking recently posted..Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake

- Julia says
  July 1, 2013 at 7:24 pm
  
  I like the idea of the husband being in charge of clean up! I am trying that one!
  
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
July 1, 2013 at 11:44 am

My hubs has an hour long commute and he says the same thing! Driving that long is the pits. Thank goodness for quick and easy meals like this skillet pasta! Looks delish!

- Julia says
  July 1, 2013 at 7:23 pm
  
  I feel for him! Its no fun!!