Christmas Pasta

Capture the festive flavors of the season with this delightful Christmas Pasta recipe, a cozy and colorful dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a hearty tomato sauce infused with savory Italian sausage, garlic, and herbs like oregano and basil, this dish exudes comfort. Fresh spinach brings a pop of green, while melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese create an indulgent, creamy finish. With a hint of crushed red pepper for subtle warmth and a sprinkle of parsley for freshness, this pasta is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, Christmas Pasta is the ideal centerpiece for a festive feast that will warm hearts and fill plates. Perfect for keywords like "holiday pasta recipes," "Christmas dinner ideas," and "easy festive meals," this dish is sure to become a seasonal favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 250 grams Italian sausage, casings removed
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 150 grams fresh spinach leaves
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 150 grams mozzarella cheese, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

While the sauce is simmering, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in another skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach leaves and sauté until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add a pinch of salt to season and set aside.

Step 6

Once the sauce has thickened, stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from the heat and fold in the sautéed spinach, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Mix until the cheeses are melted and evenly distributed.

Step 8

Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your festive Christmas Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1501.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3497.7

Total Fat 176.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 357.9mg	0%
Sodium 6448.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 338.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.8g	0%
Total Sugars 21.7g
Protein 146.6g	0%

Vitamin D 32.1IU	0%
Calcium 1634.3mg	0%
Iron 27.9mg	0%
Potassium 3568.5mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.0%

Protein: 16.6%

Carbs: 38.4%