This recipe has become a staple on my winter menu for 2024

What You’ll Need

  • Mixed Greens or your fave salad lettuce
  • Handful Cranberries
  • Coconut Sugar Almonds (get sliced almonds, 1 tbs butter and 1/4 cup coconut or brown sugar)
  • 1-2 Oranges, we use Clementines
  • 2 tbs Goat Cheese
  • My favorite salad cutters (linked here)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 tbs Balsamic Vinegar (add more to taste)
  • 2 tbs Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Honey (add more to taste)
  • 1 garlic Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Coconut Sugar Toasted Almonds

These give the salad a nice sweet crunch. I use them in place of a crouton. You could do plain sliced almonds or any nut that you enjoy. I like to make a big batch of toasted sweetened almonds and use it throughout the week. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1/4 cup of brown sugar or coconut sugar to a pan on medium low. Let everything melt and then add in a bag of sliced almonds. Continue to mix it and watch until they start to get toasted. Just a few minutes. Take them off heat before they burn. Let them cool, break them up, store in airtight container for a week.

Assembling The Salad

There’s so much flavor in this salad and I love to make sure there is flavor in every bite. After the salad is in the bowl I am generous with the cranberries and almonds. It adds so much texture and taste to the salad. Next, I distribute slices of fresh oranges, their juicy sweetness contrasting beautifully with the tangy goat cheese. Once all the ingredients are in the bowl, it’s time to prepare the dressing. In a separate bowl, mix together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and a clove of minced garlic. Season it with salt and pepper according to your personal preference. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and give everything a gentle toss to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated. I love these salad scissors. It makes my at home salads taste restaurant quality! After that, your sweet winter salad is ready to be enjoyed.

Introduction

Craving something spicy, hearty, and delicious? This Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta is the perfect dish to satisfy your taste buds. This recipe combines the robust flavors of Italian sausage with the heat of chili flakes and the comfort of pasta. It’s a quick and easy meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends. So, grab your apron, and let’s heat things up in the kitchen! Linking my favorite non-toxic pans here (they are also on sale!)

Ingredients

To whip up this flavorful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 spicy Italian sausages
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 can (14oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz rigatoni
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup pasta water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnishing

Preparation

Before you start cooking, it’s crucial to prepare all the ingredients. Here are the steps:

  1. Remove sausage from casings
  2. Mince the garlic cloves.
  3. Open the can of diced tomatoes, ready to pour.
  4. Grate the Parmesan cheese.

Cooking

Now that we have our ingredients prepped, it’s time to bring this dish to life. Follow these steps:

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  3. Add the sliced Italian sausages and cook until browned.
  4. Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, basil chili flakes to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant.
  5. Add in white wine. Cook on med high for 4-5 mins to cook out alcohol
  6. Add heavy cream and continue simmering
  7. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Add in fresh grated parmesan and reserved pasta water
  9. Add cooked and drained pasta to sauce
  10. Serve with fresh basil and more parmesan for topping

Tips and Tricks

Here’s a little secret to take this dish to the next level: When you’re simmering the sauce, add a pinch of sugar. It balances out the acidity from the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the dish. And don’t forget, always save some pasta water. The starchy water can help to loosen the sauce and make it cling better to the pasta.

Original Recipe

I first heard about this recipe from tiktok a few years ago. I later on found this recipe from JawnsICooked and it is perfect. I’ve made it many times.

Conclusion

And there you have it—a spicy, flavorful, and satisfying Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta. It’s an incredible mix of flavors that will surely impress your family and friends. So, why wait? Get into the kitchen and start cooking! Bon appétit!