One of the best things about summer is all the fresh and tasty vegetables that are available. Being able to eat vegetables right after they are picked is amazing. I belong to a CSA to make sure I get plenty of fresh local vegetables every week, and a few times this summer I have received leafy green arugula, which I used to make this Arugula & Sausage Pasta Skillet.
Arugula is a leafy green vegetable with a spicy peppery taste that stands out more than the greens I usually cook with like spinach. I have tried it in salads, but I especially like it cooked, and it goes perfectly with Italian flavors like spicy sausage and tomatoes.
This recipe is a very quick recipe, which makes it perfect for a busy weeknight. I made this with leftovers, since I had leftover pasta and Italian sausage from a prior meal, and from start to finish it was ready in 15 minutes. If you don’t have leftover pasta it would take a little bit longer to make, but not much!
I heated my cast iron skillet, and warmed up the sliced Italian sausage. Then I tossed in some fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden and let them simmer for a few minutes. Finally I added the pasta and arugula and stirred it all for a few minutes until it was warmed through and the arugula wilted.
I used spicy Italian sausage, and it I had used mild I would probably have added 1/2 t. of red pepper flakes to amp up the flavor. The pasta dish is a nice hearty meal, and is perfect either with or without a topping of Parmesan cheese.
For more pasta dishes try this Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Or try chicken broccoli pasta for another easy dinner idea.
Arugula Pasta with Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 lb cooked Spicy Italian sausage
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 12 oz cooked pasta
- 8 oz arugula
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and the arugula, and toss in the skillet until the greens start to wilt and the pasta is warmed up, about 5 minutes.
- Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
