• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salt & Lavender logo
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Pasta

    Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

    Published: Oct 23, 2021 / Updated: May 28, 2023 / 79 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    Orecchiette with sausage and spinach is simple and fast to make with a tasty Italian sausage, spinach, garlic, and white wine sauce. It's perfect for busy weeknights since it can be on your table in about 30 minutes!

    Love Italian sausage? Try my Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta, this Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta, or one pot Italian Sausage Orzo.

    orecchiette pasta with sausage and spinach close-up in a bowl

    Why you'll crave it

    A 30-minute recipe that feels fancy but takes only half an hour to make? Yes please. It's actually kind of mind-boggling just how much rich taste is packed into this pasta since it has so few ingredients!

    Did you know that orecchiette literally translates to "little ears"? I don't cook with it very often, but it's definitely a fun pasta shape to keep in your pantry. I think you'll love this orecchiette pasta recipe since it's the ideal pasta shape to hold the tasty white wine sauce from scratch.

    Everything you'll need for this orecchiette pasta

    • Orecchiette - you can use any shape you prefer, preferably a smaller one, but it's worth using orecchiette here if you can find it! They're perfect little bowls for the sauce.
    • Italian sausage - I used mild, but you could use hot to kick it up a notch
    • Onion and garlic - these classic aromatics form the delicious base for the sauce
    • Dijon mustard - don't skip the Dijon! It isn't overpowering, and it's my favorite ingredient to infuse a fantastic savory quality.
    • White wine - I recommend using a good dry white wine that you'd actually drink. Try a sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or even chardonnay.
    • Spinach - fresh baby spinach pairs very well with the sausage
    • Basil - optional, but it adds an additional punch of flavor
    • Parmesan - freshly grated parmesan is a must to top off this pasta dish! Always grate your own for maximum flavor.
    sausage and spinach sauce for orecchiette in a white cast iron skillet

    How to make orecchiette with sausage

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, add the crumbled sausage and onion to a skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until nicely browed. Stir in the garlic, followed by the Dijon mustard and then the white wine.
    • Let it reduce for a minute or two, then add in the basil and spinach and toss until wilted. Add the drained pasta, toss again, and serve with freshly grated parmesan!

    Substitutions and variations

    • If you want some spice, use hot Italian sausage and/or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
    • You could swap the wine for chicken broth if you need to. In that case, you may want to double the Dijon mustard.
    • This recipe is very flexible! You could throw in mushrooms or other veggies if you happen to have some that need using up to make this sauce for orecchiette your own.
    • There is no cream in this recipe, but adding a splash towards the end of cooking would be a tasty addition.
    • You can absolutely use kale or broccoli rabe instead of the spinach!

    Tools for this recipe

    • I use this garlic press to crush the garlic. It's great for recipes that call for minced garlic.
    • My Microplane zester is what I use to grate the parmesan.
    • Tongs are extremely useful to make tossing the spinach until it wilts easier!

    What to serve with this pasta

    • It's a perfect meal on its own with a glass of white wine and a slice of crusty bread!
    • You can also pair it with a nice side salad. Try my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad, or throw some mixed greens together with my Olive Garden Italian Dressing.
    sausage and spinach orecchiette served in two beige bowls

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers of this pasta will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • If you want to freeze leftovers, keep in mind the pasta and spinach won't be as good thawed as when freshly made, but it should be ok.
    • Reheat over a low heat in a small saucepan until warmed through.

    More delicious recipes with Italian sausage

    • Italian Sausage White Bean Soup
    • Spicy Italian Sausage Gnocchi
    • Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup
    • Easy Baked Penne with Sausage
    • Easy Sausage Rigatoni
    • Zuppa Toscana (Sausage, Bacon, Potato, and Kale Soup)
    close-up of orecchiette with sausage and spinach sauce in a skillet

    Hope you love this easy orecchiette pasta recipe! Questions? Did you make it? Leave me a comment or review below! 

    orecchiette pasta with sausage and spinach close-up in a bowl

    Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach

    Orecchiette with sausage and spinach is simple and fast to make with a tasty Italian sausage, spinach, garlic, and white wine sauce.
    4.97 from 28 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 643 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 ounces uncooked orecchiette pasta
    • 16 ounces Italian sausage see note
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1/2 cup dry white wine
    • 3 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
    • 2 tablespoons fresh basil optional
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • For serving: freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, add the sausage meat and onion to the skillet, and sauté over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until it's cooked through and nicely browned. If there's more than about 1-2 tablespoons of fat left in the skillet, spoon out the excess, but be sure to leave some since we're not adding any extra butter or oil.
    • Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the garlic and Dijon mustard, and cook for about 30 seconds.
    • Pour in the wine and cook until reduced by half (about 1-2 minutes).
    • Add in the spinach and basil. Toss (using tongs or two large spoons) until the spinach has wilted, then add in the drained pasta and toss again.
    • Season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese over top.

    Notes

    • Use either ground sausage meat or buy sausages and take the meat out of the casings. There is quite a lot of sausage in the sauce, so you could definitely get away with using a bit less than the full pound.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 643kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 25gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 860mgPotassium: 596mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2164IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword orecchiette pasta sauce, orecchiette with sausage, sauce for orecchiette
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
    Boursin Chicken »

    Loved this recipe? Share it:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Kerry says

      May 19, 2023 at 6:36 PM

      4 stars
      This was a very tasty recipe. Although it doesn’t look colourful it was delicious. I used Jimmy Dean hot sausage that I brought home from the USA. Will be making it again.

      Reply
    2. jaclyn says

      May 11, 2023 at 2:30 AM

      5 stars
      Very good! I couldn’t find orecchiette pasta in store and substituted with large shells and it turned out really good! I skipped the basil but used everything else including cooking wine. Full of flavor and easy dish to make! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 11, 2023 at 10:29 AM

        I'm so glad it was a hit!! 😀 Yes, it seems that shape can sometimes be hard to locate.

        Reply
    3. Stephanie says

      April 17, 2023 at 9:10 AM

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Big hit with my dinner guests. ❤️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 17, 2023 at 10:41 AM

        Fantastic!! Thank you!!

        Reply
    4. Terry Dakin says

      February 23, 2023 at 10:08 PM

      5 stars
      This was so delicious! I’ve made a similar recipe several times but the Dijon mustard and dry wine made this a huge stand out! My husband and I decided this was going to be on repeat!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        February 23, 2023 at 10:45 PM

        Thrilled you both enjoyed it, Terry! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Ina says

      February 19, 2023 at 5:56 PM

      5 stars
      Super simple and incredibly flavorful! Thank you. Used penne instead because that’s all I had. Also did a whole tsp of Dijon.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 19, 2023 at 8:07 PM

        Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jan Laye says

      February 16, 2023 at 3:44 PM

      5 stars
      We enjoyed this immensely. I did make a few changes...added chopped roasted, red peppers and cut the sausage amount by one half. It was tangy and very delicious. Will be making again, soon!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 16, 2023 at 6:46 PM

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    7. Nikki says

      February 8, 2023 at 5:41 PM

      This was amazing! Only needed about half the amount of sausage and added half a lemons worth of lemon juice at the end and it was so perfect. Will make over and over again

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 8, 2023 at 10:04 PM

        I'm so glad you liked it, Nikki!!

        Reply
    8. JoAnne says

      November 15, 2022 at 3:40 PM

      5 stars
      Wow - super easy, quick prep meal that tastes just like it came from my favorite Italian restaurant! Than you, definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 15, 2022 at 3:51 PM

        You're very welcome, JoAnne! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kurt Kull says

      October 20, 2022 at 8:16 PM

      I used a fresh cheese tortellini, cuz I couldn’t find the other. Came out so good. 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 20, 2022 at 9:07 PM

        I'm so glad you liked it, Kurt!

        Reply
    10. Pat Spurr says

      October 10, 2022 at 4:00 PM

      5 stars
      It was so delicious

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 10, 2022 at 5:15 PM

        Thank you, Pat!

        Reply
    11. KATHERINE says

      October 9, 2022 at 12:22 PM

      CAN THIS BEMADE AHEAD AND THEN WARM IN OVEN?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 9, 2022 at 12:39 PM

        You could try, but just be careful not to cook it too long or it'll dry out and the pasta will get overcooked.

        Reply
    12. Jennifer says

      July 16, 2022 at 6:52 PM

      5 stars
      This is a keeper!
      Delicious! I was looking for a copycat recipe for a Costco meal that we love. It was discontinued, and we had to have it. Suggestions: 1. Use sweet Italian Sausage if available. We like it with the casings removed and cut into small pieces. 2. Use plenty of spinach. The more the better - it wilts down dramatically. Add cherry tomatoes if you like tomatoes. It’s a great addition. My husband hates tomatoes so I didn’t add it this time- I really missed them. In the future I’ll add them and he can take them out.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        July 16, 2022 at 9:44 PM

        We're thrilled it reminded you of one of your favorites, Jennifer! Thanks so much for leaving a review 🙂

        Reply
      • Wendy says

        November 12, 2022 at 10:10 AM

        I also love the pasta at Costco and that's what lead me here! So funny to hear that was the same for you. Thank you for the extra tips to make it like my beloved Costco pasta!!

        Reply
    13. Sasha says

      July 14, 2022 at 10:30 PM

      5 stars
      This is SO GOOD and EASY. I’ve made it several times and passed the recipe on to friends and family.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 14, 2022 at 11:44 PM

        I'm so pleased it's a hit, Sasha!! 🙂 Really appreciate the shares!

        Reply
    14. T says

      June 20, 2022 at 10:50 AM

      5 stars
      Really good as is but would highly recommend adding cherry tomatoes and steamed artichoke hearts

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 20, 2022 at 10:59 AM

        Fab additions!!

        Reply
    15. Martha says

      June 9, 2022 at 5:30 PM

      5 stars
      This was delicious! I did add a splash of heavy cream. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 10, 2022 at 11:01 AM

        You're very welcome, Martha! 😀

        Reply
    16. Amy G. says

      May 10, 2022 at 4:55 PM

      Great recipe! Would def make again. I have so much left over (just two eaters tonight). Can I freeze the leftovers? Thx!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 10, 2022 at 7:08 PM

        I'm so pleased you liked it, Amy! I'd say you can definitely try freezing the leftovers, but sometimes thawed cooked pasta and wilted spinach isn't quite as good as fresh.

        Reply
    17. Josalyn says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:25 PM

      5 stars
      Yummy and simple to make!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 4, 2022 at 9:00 PM

        🙂

        Reply
    18. Deb says

      April 13, 2022 at 8:22 PM

      5 stars
      Super yummy recipe!! I took some of the options that were listed, such as chicken broth, in place of wine, and at I did add some cream at the end, definitely added some creaminess, and just added to the already deliciousness of the recipe!
      Highly recommend!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 13, 2022 at 9:52 PM

        So glad you enjoyed it, Deb!

        Reply
    19. Rebecca says

      April 2, 2022 at 6:25 PM

      5 stars
      This was my first Salt & Lavender recipe and WOW! It was absolutely incredible and so easy. I’ve made this twice now and it has since become a family favorite. Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 2, 2022 at 7:45 PM

        Aww I'm so happy to hear that!! 😀 I appreciate your 5-star review, Rebecca.

        Reply
    20. Wayne says

      April 1, 2022 at 12:52 PM

      This was really really tasty, and simply to make. Went a good bit heavier with the Dijon - probably more than a tablespoon - which complimented the sweet Italian sausage well. And they were out of basil so I used thyme. Definitely making again.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 1, 2022 at 3:20 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it!! Thanks for your review, Wayne!

        Reply
    21. Helen Virga says

      March 26, 2022 at 4:17 PM

      5 stars
      Used bows instead of orecchiette but otherwise followed recipe exactly. Fussy husband loved it- me too. And so easy. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 26, 2022 at 4:59 PM

        Wonderful to hear, Helen! Glad you both enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    22. Mary says

      March 26, 2022 at 3:51 PM

      5 stars
      So easy to make and so delicious! I will be making this often. Thanks for the great recipe.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 26, 2022 at 4:15 PM

        You're welcome, Mary! Thanks so much for trying it!

        Reply
    23. Terri says

      March 24, 2022 at 6:49 PM

      Made this tonight, and my husband and I enjoyed it so much. It reminds him of someone he got at a local restaurant. I made no substitutions. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 24, 2022 at 7:23 PM

        You're welcome, Terri! We're so pleased you and your husband liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    24. A says

      March 19, 2022 at 10:08 AM

      Edit to my comment below: I switched the meat to Impossible Sausage.

      Reply
    25. A says

      March 19, 2022 at 10:07 AM

      5 stars
      I switched the orecchiette for shells (the ones that are a bit larger which I got at Aldi), the white wine for chicken stock, and the meat for Italian sausage. It's amazing. Thank you so much for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 19, 2022 at 12:17 PM

        You're welcome! Thank you for your review and glad you enjoyed it 🙂

        Reply
    26. Philip says

      March 12, 2022 at 1:22 PM

      5 stars
      Great and quick and easy. I had to sub mini penne because orecchiette wasn’t available at the market. I’ll do this again.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 12, 2022 at 2:27 PM

        That's great to hear, Philip! Thanks for trying it!

        Reply
    27. Fran Jones says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:01 AM

      5 stars
      One of the best recipes I have ever made. My husband can’t get enough of this dish. And SO quick and easy.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 10, 2022 at 11:41 AM

        That's fantastic!! 😀 I'm so happy to hear that. Appreciate your 5-star review, Fran!

        Reply
    28. Natalie says

      March 6, 2022 at 6:44 PM

      5 stars
      Very delicious, and quick and easy to make! We loved it!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 6, 2022 at 7:07 PM

        Fantastic!! 😀 Thanks for letting me know, Natalie!

        Reply
    29. Myriam says

      March 4, 2022 at 5:08 PM

      5 stars
      Wow, absolutely loved this! Thank you for sharing! It shows how good dinner can be with very few ingredients, and without having to spend tons of time in the kitchen. We love your recipes, thank you!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 4, 2022 at 9:56 PM

        Fantastic!! You're very welcome! 🙂

        Reply
    30. AngelaML says

      March 2, 2022 at 5:32 AM

      5 stars
      Hi Natasha - made this last night for the first time and we all loved it! Substituted chicken sausage and more than doubled the dijon. Also added a dash of light cream at the end with the spinach as you suggested. Yum!

      I was happy my grocery store had a brand of pasta that had orecchitte - I had never cooked it at home before and had only had it at restaurants. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 2, 2022 at 1:16 PM

        So glad that it was a hit, Angela!! 🙂 I'm glad you found it - it seems like a shape that can often be hard to come by. I don't see/eat it as often as I'd like.

        Reply
    31. Katie says

      February 21, 2022 at 10:43 AM

      5 stars
      This was the first recipe I tried from Salt & Lavender, and what hooked me!
      The flavor in this recipe is out of this world amazing. The recipe was easy to follow, especially with the subtle do this while doing this instructions. I sometimes fumble with time management while cooking...but not here.
      I've shared the recipes and others far and wide!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 21, 2022 at 1:02 PM

        Aww that's so nice to hear! 🙂 I'm so glad that you found me! Appreciate your review and shares. XO

        Reply
    32. Karen says

      January 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM

      Could I make this with chicken sausage?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 16, 2022 at 8:20 PM

        I don't see why not! 🙂

        Reply
    33. Liza says

      January 14, 2022 at 9:35 AM

      5 stars
      This was delicious! I added more than double the mustard and lots of lemon zest which added nice flavor. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 14, 2022 at 10:41 AM

        Fantastic!! You're very welcome, Liza!

        Reply
    34. Lee Glotz says

      December 15, 2021 at 6:30 PM

      This is a keeper! My daughter said her FAVORITE
      Asked if i could added nuts and wanted more spinach (good!)
      Thank u!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 15, 2021 at 6:33 PM

        That's awesome!! 🙂 So pleased she enjoyed it, Lee!

        Reply
    35. James Welch Jr says

      December 1, 2021 at 7:02 PM

      5 stars
      Ran across this goofing off on the interwebs and I’m so glad I did! So easy, and the whole family loved it (even my picky daughter who said, I’m not eating anything with mustard!). Added a touch of dried parmigiana and red pepper during the toss process. Money in the bank, baby! Thanks for the recipe! Titan Approved! 😁

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 1, 2021 at 9:11 PM

        That's so great to hear!! 🙂 You're very welcome!

        Reply
    36. Mary West says

      November 9, 2021 at 4:22 PM

      5 stars
      This was an excellent dinner, quick to come together and the orecchiette pasta did indeed hold the sauce perfectly. I loved the dish and served it with some butternut squash that had to be cooked. But it is a whole meal in itself.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 9, 2021 at 5:05 PM

        Wonderful!! 🙂 I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    37. Mark says

      November 6, 2021 at 10:22 PM

      5 stars
      Made this recipe mostly as written (I eyeballed the mustard, did not get any basil, and added a splash of lemon juice at the end before the cheese) and I really enjoyed it! I really like the way the sauce thickened with just the fat from the mustard and meat. Very satisfying and easy to make, and I'll add it to my regular rotation!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 7, 2021 at 9:39 AM

        I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!! 🙂 Thanks so much for your review, Mark!

        Reply
    38. Morgan Brown says

      November 5, 2021 at 3:01 PM

      If I don’t have orecchiette pasta, what would you recommend?!
      Looks so yummy!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 5, 2021 at 6:21 PM

        Any shape you have on hand, but I'd probably use a shorter shape like penne (something like that vs. spaghetti). Enjoy!

        Reply
    39. Trish says

      November 4, 2021 at 1:48 PM

      Hi! This looks yum! Can you use frozen spinach? Would you cook the frozen separately and then put in?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 4, 2021 at 2:17 PM

        Hi! I'd thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out the water as much as you can, then add it in towards the end of cooking time.

        Reply
    40. Lynne says

      November 4, 2021 at 12:03 PM

      Can you taste the mustard (husband hates it)? Also can you substitute the orecchiette. With another pasta?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 4, 2021 at 1:01 PM

        Hi Lynne! Absolutely you can swap the orecchiette with another pasta. Re: the mustard, it just helps build layers of flavor... I don't think you can taste it since it melds into the sauce, but I also love the stuff, so you could probably just leave it out for his sake. 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

    FREE 10 Easy Chicken Recipes E-book

    ​

      ​

      BROWSE RECIPES:

      Footer

      • Contact
      • FAQ
      • Site Policies
      • For Bloggers
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      · Copyright © 2023 Salt & Lavender Inc ·