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–+ servings
Two portions of spicy sausage meatball pasta in pasta bowls with a bowl of quick cook broccoli and quick cook green beans on the side.

Spicy Sausage Meatball Pasta

By: Deborah
This spicy sausage meatball pasta is rich, comforting and full of flavour. Made with juicy spicy sausage meatballs and a delicious tomato sauce, it's an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like a treat. 
PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 25 minutes
TOTAL: 45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 people
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 pork sausages
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion (approx. 125g) finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely sliced
  • 2 x 400 g (28 oz) tins chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 300 g (10.6 oz) pasta of your choice eg spaghetti, tagliatelle, penne, rigatoni or fusilli
  • parmesan cheese grated, to garnish
  • freshly ground black pepper to garnish
  • 1 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley roughly chopped, to garnish

Instructions

  • Start by preparing the sausages – remove and discard the skins, then roughly chop up the sausage meat in a bowl.
  • Grind the fennel seeds and chilli flakes together in a pestle and mortar until the fennel seeds are lightly crushed. Add this to the bowl with the sausage meat and mix well to combine.  Shape the seasoned sausage meat into 24 small meatballs.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and brown the meatballs all over for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the browned meatballs with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
  • In the same frying pan, add the remaining 0.5 tbsp of olive oil and add the onions. Gently fry the onions over a medium heat for 4 minutes, then add the garlic and fry for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and oregano, stir to combine, then add the meatballs back in. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta as per the packet instructions and serve with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with grated parmesan, freshly ground black pepper and chopped parsley.

Notes

  • Optional flavour variations:
    • add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes for sweetness.
    • wilt some baby spinach in at the end for extra nutrition and colour.
    • for extra heat, add some chopped fresh chilli to the sauce.
    • add some veggies like courgettes, red peppers or mushrooms.
  • Make ahead – the sausages and sauce (steps 1 to 5) can easily be made either the day before or earlier in the day. When you’re ready to eat, gently reheat on the hob while you cook the pasta.
  • This spicy sausage meatball pasta recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.
 
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Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 886mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 552IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

KEYWORDS comfort food, comfort pasta recipe, easy sausage pasta, sausage meatball pasta recipe, sausage pasta with chilli, spicy meatball pasta recipe, spicy sausage meatball pasta, spicy tomato pasta, winter warmer
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