Bold, smoky sausage, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a skillet full of flavor. This Fireman’s Pasta is the kind of meal that feeds a hungry crew fast and still tastes like you worked all day on it. It is hearty, colorful, and built for seconds. Perfect for a busy night at home or a station dinner that disappears before the pan cools.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Ingredients
12 oz uncooked penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage links, casings removed
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 lb fresh spinach
1 (14.5 oz) can diced fire roasted tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 oz oil-packed julienned sun dried tomatoes
7 oz roasted red bell peppers, sliced
1 (15 oz) can natural black olives, drained and halved
1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Tabasco or hot sauce, for serving
Grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Optional: a shake of your favorite Unkie’s Seasoning blend for extra firehouse punch
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the sausage
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Break sausage into crumbles and cook until fully browned, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wilt the spinach
Add garlic to the skillet. Add spinach in batches, stirring as it wilts and creates room. Continue until all spinach is added and softened.
Step 4: Build the sauce
Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, wine, sun dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, and olives. Let simmer about 5 minutes so the flavors combine.
Step 5: Finish the pasta
Add cooked pasta, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute to warm everything through. Remove from heat.
Step 6: Serve
Spoon into bowls, drizzle with hot sauce, sprinkle with parmesan, and serve hot.
Cooking Tips & Notes
Use spicy Italian sausage if your crew likes heat
Do not overcook the pasta. Al dente holds up better in the skillet
A splash of pasta water can loosen the sauce if needed
Equipment Needed
Large pot
Colander
Large deep skillet
Cutting board
Knife
Wooden spoon or spatula
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating works fine for quick lunches.
Tag your version and show us how your crew plates it. We want to see those bowls loaded up. Tag @unkies_seasoning and let the firehouse kitchen live on.