Italian Sausage Pasta (with Fusilli or Zucchini Noodles)

This Italian Sausage Pasta recipe comes in two versions: One classic Italian version with fusilli pasta, one low carb alternative using zucchini noodles (zoodles) as a healthy low-calorie alternative! 

Good morning friends! I'm on my way to Quebec City as I type this and I'm suddenly starving, just thinking of this Italian sausage pasta sauce.

Doesn't matter if it's only 10 am, I would still eat it no questions asked. Pasta for a snack? Sure, why not!

Sometimes, I question my normality. Normal people don't get excited by Italian Sausage Pasta at 10 am, right?

I sure do, and if you're like me, we should definitely be Internet friends! We've gotta form a sorority or something. We would eat dessert for breakfast, snack on whatever we want and drink a pina colada.

Mmm, I really like the sound of it!

The best thing? This Italian Sausage pasta comes in two versions, one for the carb lovers and one low carb version for the veggie lovers/carb phobic out there.

For traditional Italian Sausage Pasta,  we use fusilli pasta and for the low carb version, we swap wheat pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles.

In our mini-family of two, it's his and hers. Same delicious sauce, same delicious results. Your choice! Enjoy 🙂

If you tried this Italian Sausage Pasta, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

5 from 1 vote

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Italian Sausage Pasta (with Fusilli or Zucchini Noodles)

This Italian Sausage Pasta recipe comes in two versions: One classic Italian version with fusilli pasta, one low carb alternative using zucchini noodles (zoodles) as a healthy low-calorie alternative! 

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword healthy pasta dishes, Italian recipes, Italian sausage recipes, Italian Sausage Sauce, pasta recipes, weeknight dinner, zoodles recipes, zucchini noodles

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 499 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 mild Italian sausages casing removed, broken in bite-size pieces (about 400 g - 14oz)
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 200 g mushrooms 7 oz, sliced
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 pinch hot pepper flakes
• sea salt optional - to taste
• 4 tbsp freshly grated parmesan optional - leave out to keep dairy free, paleo & Whole30
• ¾ cups unpacked fresh basil leaves

Pasta (choose one of the two)

• 4 medium zucchini peeled or not, to taste
• 14 oz fusilli pasta 400 g, or farfalle, penne or rigatoni

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, until onion starts to soften. 

2. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, crushed tomatoes, oregano, and hot pepper flakes. Reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Season with salt to taste.

3. Meanwhile, prepare pasta. If you're making regular pasta, boil a big pot of water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain. If you're making zucchini pasta, use your spiralizer (I use this one) to form zoodles and set aside.
4. Spoon sauce over pasta or zucchini noodles; sprinkle with parmesan if using and basil; serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Nutritional facts using pasta: 
Cal: 787.5 - Protein: 30.6g - Fat: 33g - Carbs: 90.3g - Fiber: 5.6g - Sugar: 12.2g 

Inspired from Canadian Living magazine "Easy Does It'

 

 

Nutrition Facts

Italian Sausage Pasta (with Fusilli or Zucchini Noodles)

Amount Per Serving (1 zucchini noodles + ¼th sauce)

Calories 499 Calories from Fat 333

% Daily Value*

Fat 37g57%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Cholesterol 89mg30%

Sodium 997mg43%

Potassium 1211mg35%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 23g46%

Vitamin A 880IU18%

Vitamin C 47.8mg58%

Calcium 152mg15%

Iron 3.5mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.