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Warm Pasta Salad

Warm Pasta Salad Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz dried short pasta (farfalle, penne, or rotini)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into ½-inch strips
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb bulk mild Italian sausage
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss tomatoes and bell pepper with 2 tbsp oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes.
  2. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble in the sausage and brown for 6 to 7 minutes. Add onion and cook 3 minutes, then stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
  3. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
  4. Return the skillet to low heat. Add pasta, roasted vegetables, spinach, balsamic vinegar, and reserved pasta water. Toss for 1 minute until spinach wilts. Fold in Parmesan.
  5. Plate and top with extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

For the best texture, have all components hot and ready at the same time. The spinach should be added off the heat so it barely wilts and keeps its color. Taste and adjust salt after adding the cheese.