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Spaghetti topped with a meat sauce on a white plate with a fork.

Italian Sausage Pasta

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Amazing Italian Sausage Pasta is the best dish for Italian night! This meat sauce recipe is made with a flavorful Italian sausage, a delicious homemade marinara, and is super easy. Make it for the family tonight or meal prep it for the week!
Course Main
Cuisine American, Italian
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 465
Author Kim

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup red wine (or 1/4 cup tomato juice)
  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles (or other preferred pasta)
  • Optional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • In a large, heavy stockpot, brown Italian sausage, breaking up as you stir. Add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened.
    Browning Italian sausage in a large pot.
  • Stir in garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a low boil. Stir in red wine. Simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for at least an hour.
    Italian sausage meat sauce in a large pot.
  • Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Spoon meat sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
    Italian sausage pasta sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley.

Video

Notes

*This recipe makes a large amount of sauce. Feel free to cut the recipe in half, or consider freezing the sauce for another dinner (or two).
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven or in a pot on the stove. The pasta may have absorbed some of the liquid leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit of water before reheating. 
Freezing: I would recommend freezing the sauce without the pasta. Once the sauce has thickened allow it to cool completely before pouring it in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 4 months.
Reheat: Thaw and heat on the stove top over LOW heat stirring constantly. Add a small amount of water as needed to revitalize the sauce. Cook noodles and serve.
**Nutritional information includes spaghetti.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1442mg | Potassium: 952mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 817IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 4mg