Spicy Garlic Turkey Sausage Spaghetti Skillet
A quick and flavorful skillet dish featuring turkey sausage, pasta, garlic, and a spicy kick, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
1 lb turkey sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
8 oz spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 cups fresh spinach or basil leaves
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Extra red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced turkey sausage in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic and red pepper flakes. Return the seared turkey sausage to the pan. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to help coat the pasta and sausage evenly in the garlicky oil.
- Add the fresh spinach or basil and toss until just wilted.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and extra red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Add sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Swap the spaghetti for penne, fusilli, or gluten-free pasta.
- For more heat, increase red pepper flakes or add chopped fresh chili.
- Experiment with different herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary for varied flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
