Clean Out the Fridge Sausage and Pasta
Transform your leftovers into a deliciously satisfying meal with this "Clean Out the Fridge Sausage and Pasta" recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this versatile dish combines tender pasta, savory sausage, and a medley of fresh or leftover vegetables for a hearty, flavor-packed dinner. Using ingredients you already have on hand, it features a quick and easy tomato-based sauce enhanced with fragrant herbs, garlic, and optional chili flakes for a subtle kick. Ready in just 40 minutes and topped with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan, this customizable recipe is a great way to minimize food waste while creating a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal. Whether you're using Italian sausage, smoked links, or breakfast sausage, this one-pot meal is a guaranteed hit for the whole family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (any type)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (olive, vegetable, or other)
- 4 links sausages (Italian, breakfast, or smoked, any variety)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or anything you have), chopped
- 1 cup tomato sauce or canned diced tomatoes
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, thyme, fresh or dried)
- 0.25 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
Remove sausage casings if necessary and crumble the sausage into the hot pan. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Add the chopped mixed vegetables to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables.
Pour in the tomato sauce or canned diced tomatoes. Stir in the herbs, red chili flakes (if using), and reserved pasta water (a little at a time) to adjust the consistency. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce and heated through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy your 'Clean Out the Fridge Sausage and Pasta'!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
482 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.2 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.2 g | 51% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 1431 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.9 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 19.3 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 163 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 692 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
