Orecchiette With Spicy Chicken Sausage

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Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage is a quick, bold pasta dish packed with flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is the perfect easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Turkey Sausage Recipe

You’re home after a long day of work. You’re ravenous. You just want to dig into some crazy comfort food.

Yep, been there, done that. I know the feeling all too well. Now, hold the phone and don’t get takeout just yet! This Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Sausage recipe will have you covered for those tough evenings! As I mention in my free motivational guide to explore your potential in the kitchen, Make Cooking Fun!, being realistic with what you can achieve is key to success! While you probably won’t have the energy or inclination to make a four-course meal after a tough day, what you CAN do is try a new fairly fast but super flavorful dinner! You’ll thank yourself later!

Why I Love This Spicy Orecchiette Pasta Recipe

My perfect formula for a comforting dinner is saucy, meaty, and cheesy. This Orecchiette with spicy Italian sausage checks all those boxes. I especially love my pasta very saucy. I’m team red sauce, how about you? For more saucy and meaty tomato-based pasta recipes, I recommend you check out my Spicy Bacon and Chorizo Penne, the timeless Spaghetti & Meatballs with Classic Marinara, and this Hot & Spicy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti.

I discovered orecchiette not too long ago. I love exploring unique pasta shapes, and this was really standing out to me at the grocery store!

As I’m writing this, I learned that orecchiette are named for their shape, meaning “little ears.” Guilty, I’ve never made that connection! But that’s super cool!

What I do love about these little guys is that they absorb sauce and cheese so well. Sometimes you’re having some spaghetti and the sauce is just slipping and sliding right off! Spaghetti is my favorite pasta shapes, but for some dishes it just doesn’t do the trick!

Orecchiette really grabs onto the creamy tomato sauce so well. I also love how the little chunks of Italian sausage fall into the grooves of the pasta. The cheese stays nicely coated on top. What more could you love!

The heat in this pasta comes from a twist on my typical marinara sauce recipe. The secret is the addition of authentic Calabrian peppers, which you can learn about in the video! If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube channel already, be sure you do, and don’t forget to press the bell button to be notified when all of my latest video recipes are live! Let’s get cooking!

Two bowls of orecchiette pasta with spicy tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil, with a wooden board and cheese visible.

Tools Needed to Make Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Sausage

What You Need for Spicy Orecchiette with Sausage

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the FULL PRINTABLE Recipe Card for all ingredients and their quantities and to save the recipe instructions for later.You can also use the recipe card to scale the recipe based on how many portions of pasta you want to make so that you have the perfect amount of sauce and sausage to make everyone satisfied!

Ingredients for spicy orecchiette with Italian chicken sausage arranged on a dark countertop, including pasta, ground chicken, fresh basil, garlic, and condiments.

For the Spicy Calabrian Pepper Sausage

Ground chicken: That’s the choice of protein I used here, but you can use turkey or pork if you prefer.
Calabrian chili: You can use this or Calabrian chili paste, which is also known as Bomba. Because that’s what I had on hand and it’s more accessible to me, I used bomba.
Thai green chilies: This adds a bit of heat to the sausage.
Fennel seeds: Use whole seeds that will be ground up.
Anise seeds: To be ground up with the fennel seeds.
Honey: A bit of sweetness to balance out the spiciness.
Water: Optional, but it helps bind the ingredients better into the sausage.
Salt and pepper: Season your sausage to taste.

For the Orecchiette Pasta

Olive oil: This will be used to sauté the veggies for our tomato sauce.
Garlic cloves: Mince fresh garlic cloves into the sauce.
Heavy cream: To make a pink sauce! You can use lighter cream, but you’ll need to use more of it. You only need a splash of heavy cream to get the desired result!
Parmesan cheese: To add into the pasta and sauce and then extra for garnish. Please grate it fresh!
Spicy Italian Calabrian Pepper Sausage: As described above, but if you really need to save time, you can just buy one.
Diced tomatoes: Make sure you use plain diced tomatoes and not a can that has seasoning! That will throw off all the flavors here!
Orecchiette: If you don’t have orecchiette, you can use another small pasta shape. Great alternatives include penne, rigatoni, fusilli or rotini.
Onion: I’ve used a diced red onion.
Salt and pepper: Always add these to taste!
Calabrian peppers: Or Bomba, if you can’t find whole canned Calabrian chilli peppers.
Basil: Fresh basil cut into a chiffonade for garnish.

Making the Spicy Chicken Sausage

In this recipe, I used my own spicy Italian sausage made with Calabrian pepper paste, which you can read about here. In essence, we mix all the above ingredients for the sausage and the sausage is now ready to cook.

Ground spicy Italian chicken sausage in a glass bowl surrounded by ingredients including onion, cream, and pasta.

Raw spicy Italian chicken sausage mixture in a glass bowl with Calabrian pepper paste on top, surrounded by ingredients.

Hand holding wooden spoon with ground spicy Italian sausage seasoning mix containing fennel and Calabrian pepper.

Hand pouring olive oil into a bowl of spicy Italian chicken sausage mixture with herbs.

Ground chicken sausage mixture with herbs and spices in a glass bowl, ready to be mixed.

Hand holding a spoonful of spicy Italian chicken sausage mixture with herbs and spices visible.

Ground spicy Italian chicken sausage mixture with herbs in a glass bowl before cooking.

Hands mixing raw spicy Italian chicken sausage with red spatula in glass bowl

If you’re trying to save time, you could purchase a pre-made Italian sausage. Of course I’ll always advocate that there’s more flavor in your own homemade sausage, but this is designed to be a quick and convenient weeknight dinner!

The sausage has a good balance of sweet with spicy from the hot Calabrian peppers and sweetness from the fennel, anise and honey. If you do decide to move forward with a so keep in mind that you may have to make your sauce a bit spicier if you’re using a mild, pre-packaged sausage.

Tomato Cream Sauce

If you have not prepared pink sauce before, this will be a great, simple introduction. While not technically a traditional recipe for pink sauce or Parma Rosa sauce, it has the same elements. The traditional Parma Rosa is a blend of marinara and Alfredo sauce - the latter is just a mixture of butter, cream and parmesan.

We prepare this quick sauce by sautéing the onions, garlic with the sausage. Then adding some diced tomatoes and cooking down the tomato sauce.

Minced garlic sautéing in oil in a dark pan during the first step of sauce preparation.

Diced red onions and minced garlic sautéing in a dark skillet with spicy Italian chicken sausage.

Ground Italian sausage being browned in a skillet with diced peppers and onions, stirred with a wooden spoon.

Browned spicy Italian chicken sausage with diced onions and garlic cooking in a dark skillet.

Spicy Italian sausage and diced tomatoes cooking in a pan with herbs and seasonings.

Spicy Italian chicken sausage cooking in a pan with diced tomatoes and red sauce.

Once the pasta is cooked, we toss it with the tomato sauce with a drizzle of cream and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Orecchiette pasta being added to a skillet of spicy red tomato sauce with sausage.

Orecchiette pasta with spicy Italian sausage and tomato sauce cooking in a pan

Orecchiette pasta with spicy sausage in tomato sauce, topped with shredded parmesan cheese in a skillet.

The flavour and appearance of this sauce will make it seem you spent hours slaving over a marinara and Alfredo, while you know the secret to the sauce. Isn’t that great?

Top It Off!

I love to top this off with some basil chiffonade for a pop of color and some grated Parmesan cheese. I love the nutty flavour of the Parmesan cheese, and it contrasts nicely with the heat in the tomato sauce and the sausage.

So there you have it! If your sausage is already prepared, this (almost) one-pot meal comes together in no time, perfect for hosting guests or to make for the entire family on a weeknight when you’re ravenous. Give it a try!

Orecchiette with spicy Italian chicken sausage topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil in a white bowl.

Tips for a Delicious Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Sausage

You can adjust the amount of sweetness and heat in the sausage based on your preferences. To test whether you’re happy with the flavor of the sausage, cook a small piece of it as a tester. Then, you can adjust the batch overall before cooking it.
Reserve pasta water so that you can use it to thin out the sauce, if needed. The starches in the water help bring the dish together.
You can cook the sausage the day before, if desired. However, if you are cooking the sausage in advance, make sure to reserve some of the juices so that you still get that flavour into the pasta and the tomato sauce.
If you don’t have diced tomatoes, you can use whole San Marzano tomatoes or even fresh, if that’s accessible to you!

Variations of This Spicy Sausage Orecchiette Recipe

Add veggies: You can add a nutritional boost to this pasta by throwing in red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and/or carrots.
Meat: If you don’t want to use the sausage, that’s fine! This will still be delicious with some bacon, Italian-Herb Grilled Chicken Breast, leftover Roast Chicken, or even ground beef! You could even switch up the sausage by trying out Pork-Bacon Sausage.
Cheese: You can substitute the Parmesan for Gruyere or Pecorino Romano.

Serving Suggestions for Spicy Orecchiette and Sausage Pasta

Appetizers: The BEST Mozzarella Sticks, Restaurant-Style Buffalo Chicken Wings, Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries
Bread: Garlic bread, baguette, or Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls.
Salad: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Gurkensalat (German Cucumber Salad) or Arugula Goat Cheese Salad.
Other greens: Garlic Butter Broccoli, Garlic-Creamed Spinach.

Orecchiette with spicy Italian chicken sausage garnished with grated cheese and fresh basil in a white bowl.

Storing Leftovers

While I think that this delicious Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Sausage will just disappear off of everyone’s plates, if you do have leftovers, then don’t worry about it! All you need to do is transfer the leftover contents into an airtight container. Then, just reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that the pasta is evenly warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought sausage instead of making my own?▼

You can, but the homemade version is quick and worth it — you just mix ground chicken, turkey or pork with Calabrian chili, Thai green chili, crushed fennel and anise seeds, a little honey, salt and pepper. No casing or special equipment needed. Store-bought Italian sausage works as a shortcut if you're in a hurry.

What are Calabrian chilies, and can I substitute them?▼

Calabrian chilies are fruity, fiery Italian peppers, and they're what give this dish its signature heat — they go into both the sausage and the sauce. The recipe works with either the chopped chilies or Calabrian chili paste (sold as 'bomba'), so use whichever you can find.

Why crush the fennel and anise seeds?▼

Crushing the fennel and anise (in a mortar and pestle, or under the back of a knife) releases their aroma and gives the sausage that unmistakable Italian flavour. You want them coarsely broken, not powdered — the little bits add texture too.

Why should I save some pasta water?▼

Reserve about half a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Adding it a splash at a time loosens the tomato-cream sauce to just the right consistency and helps it cling to the orecchiette instead of sliding off.

If you liked this recipe please let me know in the comments. Tag your post on social media using #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!

Recipe by Anadi Misra

Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage

Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage is a quick, bold pasta dish packed with flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is the perfect easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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7 min

Prep

30 min

Cook

37 min

Total

servings

medium

Level

Ingredients

Tap any quantity to scale

For the Spicy Italian Calabrian Pepper Sausage

(170 g) ground chicken
(3 g) Calabrian chilli peppers(roughly chopped; or use paste, bomba)Shop →
(3 g) Thai green chilies(chopped)
(1 g) fennel seeds(crushed)Shop →
(1 g) anise seeds(crushed)Shop →
(5 ml) honeyShop →
(5 ml) water
(3 g) saltShop →
(3 g) pepperShop →

For the pasta

(15 ml) olive oilShop →
garlic cloves(minced)
small onion
canned diced tomatoesShop →
(15 g) Calabrian chilli peppers(roughly chopped)Shop →
(227 g) orecchietteShop →
(1 g) Greatest Homemade Italian Seasoning · make your own
Calabrian Chicken Sausage (as described above) · make your own
(60 ml) heavy cream
(25 g) Parmesan cheese
(30 g) fresh basil(cut into chiffonade)Shop →
salt(to taste)Shop →

Instructions

For the Spicy Italian Calabrian Pepper Sausage

1
Begin by crushing the fennel seeds and the anise seeds in a mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, measure and arrange the whole spices on a paper towel.
Begin by crushing the fennel seeds and the anise seeds in a mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, measure and arrange the whole spices on a paper towel.
2
Fold the paper towel over the seeds, making sure to have the spices gather in one spot. Using the back of a knife or a rolling pin to crush the seeds. It does not need to be completely powdered, the coarseness adds to the texture and flavour of the sausage. Crush just enough to break down the spices and release their flavour and fragrance.
Fold the paper towel over the seeds, making sure to have the spices gather in one spot. Using the back of a knife or a rolling pin to crush the seeds. It does not need to be completely powdered, the coarseness adds to the texture and flavour of the sausage. Crush just enough to break down the spices and release their flavour and fragrance.
3
In a large bowl, add the minced meat (chicken/turkey/pork) and mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
In a large bowl, add the minced meat (chicken/turkey/pork) and mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

For the pasta

1
Heat a pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic and mix. When the garlic starts to become light brown, add the onions and mix. Sweat the onions until they become soft.
Heat a pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic and mix. When the garlic starts to become light brown, add the onions and mix. Sweat the onions until they become soft.
2
After about five minutes, add the sausage and break down the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook out the sausage until the meat is no longer pink.
After about five minutes, add the sausage and break down the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook out the sausage until the meat is no longer pink.
3
Add the diced tomatoes and allow the tomatoes to come to a simmer. Once the tomatoes are simmering, add the Calabrian peppers. Turn down the heat to medium-low, add salt, Italian seasoning and mix.
Add the diced tomatoes and allow the tomatoes to come to a simmer. Once the tomatoes are simmering, add the Calabrian peppers. Turn down the heat to medium-low, add salt, Italian seasoning and mix.
4
As the sauce is simmering, cook the orecchiette until it is al dente, as per package directions. Stir every few minutes to ensure that the pasta does not get stuck together.
As the sauce is simmering, cook the orecchiette until it is al dente, as per package directions. Stir every few minutes to ensure that the pasta does not get stuck together.
5
When the pasta has finished cooking, reserve about ½ cup pasta water.
When the pasta has finished cooking, reserve about ½ cup pasta water.
6
Once the tomato sauce is fragrant and has thickened, drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Gradually add the pasta water to thin out the sauce as desired.
Once the tomato sauce is fragrant and has thickened, drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Gradually add the pasta water to thin out the sauce as desired.
7
Finish with cream and simmer for one more minute. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy :)
Finish with cream and simmer for one more minute. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy :)

Nutrition per serving

962

Calories

44g

Protein

98g

Carbs

43g

Fat

Fiber

Sugar

4039mg

Sodium

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Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen

Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Turkey Sausage Recipe

Why I Love This Spicy Orecchiette Pasta Recipe

Tools Needed to Make Orecchiette with Spicy Italian Sausage