It’s a tale as old as time: it’s a busy weeknight, and you don’t have the time nor the energy to dwell in the kitchen. You want something fast and filling in 20 minutes. You want to incorporate the basic food groups. You don’t want to use a lot of dishes or ingredients. Then a knight in shining armor appears…no, wait: it’s a nice warm bowl of smoked sausage and spinach pasta made with just 4 ingredients.
Why This 4-Ingredient Pasta Works
Let’s cut to the chase. This pasta recipe covers your bases in a simple way:
- 20 Minute Meal: By prepping your pasta and sauce at the same time, this 4-ingredient pasta goes from stove top to table in 20 minutes.
- Balanced meal: It’s an easy way to incorporate basic food groups like dairy, protein, and leafy greens in one bowl.
- One-Skillet / One-Pot: You only need one pot for the pasta and a skillet for the creamy sauce.
- Pantry & Freezer Staples: You likely have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already.
- Kid-friendly: The mild Alfredo sauce and bowtie pasta makes this a hit with families.
The Visual Lineup (Ingredients)
Here’s what you’ll need to make this sausage and spinach pasta happen:
- 12 oz. Bowtie pasta (one standard box)
- 7 oz. Smoked Sausage Links (or more, depending on preference)
- 6 oz. Frozen Spinach (half of a 12 oz. bag)
- 16 oz. Alfredo sauce (one jar)
How to Make Smoked Sausage and Spinach Pasta
Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions.
As the pasta cooks, slice and brown the smoked sausage for a few minutes in a skillet on medium heat.
Add frozen spinach and let it warm alongside the sausage. If you have fresh spinach instead of frozen, that works too. Add the sauce a few minutes later and let the mixture warm through. Remember: add some water to the sauce jar, give it a shake, and include it in the skillet too. The extra liquid is worth it to coat the bowties! You’ll find everything starts to come together in this easy one-skillet sauce.
Once the pasta is ready, drain it (this silicone clip-on strainer makes straining pasta a breeze), add it to the creamy mix and give it a toss!
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4-Ingredient Creamy Smoked Sausage and Spinach Pasta
Equipment
- 1 cooking pot (for cooking pasta)
- 1 large skillet (to prepare sauce)
Ingredients
- 12 oz. bowtie pasta (one standard box)
- 7 oz. smoked sausage links (or more, depending on preference)
- 6 oz. frozen spinach (half of a 12 oz. bag)
- 16 oz. Alfredo sauce (one jar)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Prepare the bowtie pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions.
- Brown the Sausage: While the water boils, slice the sausage links into rounds. Add them to a large skillet over medium heat and fry for about 5 minutes until lightly browned on both sides.
- Steam the Spinach: Add the frozen spinach to the skillet with the sausage. Cover with a lid for a few minutes to help the spinach steam and warm through.
- Simmer the Sauce: Turn the heat down to low. Pour in the jarred Alfredo sauce. To get every last bit, add a splash of water to the empty jar, shake it, and pour that into the skillet as well. Let the mixture heat together for about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly into the skillet. Stir carefully to coat every bowtie in the creamy sauce.
Notes
- For an added kick, consider using a Cajun style smoke sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Fresh spinach is an alternative to frozen spinach.
- This dish tastes equally good the next day. Leftovers can keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Want an additional 4-ingredient recipe to add to your busy weeknight dinner routine? Try my popular 4 ingredient tuna noodle casserole! 🐟
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