This sausage and pea pasta is a comforting, well-balanced dish with savoury sausage pieces and sweet bursts of peas throughout. The sauce is light but flavourful, coating the pasta without being heavy.
It is a practical choice for family dinners and works well when you want something filling using familiar ingredients. The steps are simple and suitable for confident beginners.
Recipe Information
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 3 to 4
Ingredients
For the pasta
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300 g dried pasta such as penne or fusilli
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Salt, for the cooking water
For the sauce
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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400 g pork sausages
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
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100 ml chicken or vegetable stock
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150 g frozen peas
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Freshly ground black pepper
To finish
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Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Step-by-Step Method
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Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until just tender. Reserve a mug of the cooking water, then drain.
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While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat.
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Remove the skins from the sausages and break the meat into small pieces. Add to the pan and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
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Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
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Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
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Add the chopped tomatoes and stock. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly reduced.
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Stir in the peas and cook for a further 2 minutes until heated through.
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Add the drained pasta to the sauce with a small splash of reserved pasta water. Toss gently until evenly coated.
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Remove from the heat, season with black pepper, and adjust the consistency with more pasta water if needed.
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Serve immediately with grated Parmesan if using.
Cooking Tips
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Breaking the sausage meat into small pieces helps it distribute evenly through the sauce.
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Simmer gently to avoid the sauce becoming too thick.
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Taste before adding salt, as sausages can be salty on their own.
Variations
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Use chicken sausages for a lighter option.
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Add a pinch of chilli flakes for gentle heat.
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Replace peas with sweetcorn if preferred.
Serving Suggestions
Serve straight away with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables. This pasta works well as a complete family meal.
Storage and Reheating
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave with a splash of water.
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Not suitable for freezing.
