Sausage and Spinach Balsamic Linguini

The dry cleaner lost my favorite new dress today.  When I came home tonight and turned on the kitchen light, the circuit breaker tripped.  Oh boy.  Today is a day that calls out for a comforting dinner.  Maybe pasta and a side salad… or maybe pasta combined with a salad!  Here was my thought process: I love a simple spinach salad with tomatoes, red onion and a balsamic vinaigrette.  But salads aren’t really comfort food, per se.  On the other hand, pasta and sausages can really hit the spot when I’m craving something easy and warming, but I really should try to incorporate more veggies into each meal.  Why not mesh the two into a balsamic linguini with sausage and spinach?

This may sound like a bizarre combination, but I was surprised at how tasty it turned out.  The balsamic vinegar is used sparingly which lends a subtle flavor without overwhelming.  I’m happy to report that my dinner made the trials of the day drift away.  At least until tomorrow.

Sausage and Spinach Balsamic Linguini
½ lb linguini pasta
1 tbs olive oil
1 large red onion, sliced and divided in half
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 good quality sausages, cut into large pieces
12 grape tomatoes
2 tbs balsamic vinegar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ cup fresh basil, chopped
4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Begin by cooking the linguini according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.  In the meantime heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add half of the sliced red onion and all of the garlic.  Stirring occasionally, cook until the onion is soft, about four minutes.  Add the sausages and cook until done.  Toss in the spinach and continue cooking until the spinach has wilted slightly.  Finally, add the pasta to the pan, along with the remaining half of the sliced onion as well as the tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and basil.  Continue cooking until the pasta has heated through.  Remove from heat and add the cheese.  Stir well and serve.  Enjoy while sitting on the couch, watching your favorite movie and letting the day sleepily drift away.