Quick Weeknight Sausage & Marinara Pasta
This Quick Weeknight Sausage & Marinara Pasta recipe offers a delicious and easy meal perfect for any weeknight. With savory Italian sausage, rich marinara, and al dente penne, it's a comforting dish that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Equipment
- large pot
- large skillet
- spoon
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta (or other short, sturdy pasta)
Sausage & Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage casings removed
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 marinara sauce (24 ounce) jar
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook penne pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cooking Sausage & Sauce
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, and brown thoroughly for 5-7 minutes, then drain any excess grease.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet, cook until softened and translucent (3-4 minutes), then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, stir well, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 5 minutes to meld flavors.
Combining & Serving
- Add cooked pasta, ¼ cup reserved pasta water, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet; toss until well coated and the sauce is slightly creamy, adding more pasta water if a thinner sauce is desired.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed, then garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve hot.
Notes
This recipe is easily customizable. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms along with the onion. For a touch of heat, you can use hot Italian sausage instead of mild. The reserved pasta water is key to achieving a silky sauce, so don't forget to save it!