Hearty Italian Pork Sausage Spaghetti with Zucchini Ribbons

There’s something magical about a big bowl of pasta—it’s quick, carb-loaded, and the ultimate comfort food, no matter the weather. This recipe takes classic spaghetti bolognese to the next level with juicy Italian pork sausage, delicate zucchini ribbons, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. Every twirl delivers rich, savory flavor with a hint of warmth from Tuscan heat spice.

Ready in about 25 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The sausage adds a hearty, meaty depth, while the zucchini ribbons bring a fresh, tender contrast. Top it all with Parmesan and dig in!

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Ingredients

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

9 ounce Italian Pork SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tuscan Heat SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

14 ounce Marinara CupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, wash and dry all produce. Mince the garlic. Trim the ends from the zucchini. Using a peeler, shave the zucchini lengthwise into thin ribbons, rotating as you go, until you reach the seedy core; discard the core.
2. Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, 9–11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
3. While the pasta cooks, remove the sausage from its casing and discard the casing. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4–6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and Tuscan Heat Spice; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Add the marinara sauce to the pan with the sausage mixture, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly, 3–4 minutes.
5. Add the cooked spaghetti, 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, and 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan. Toss everything together until well combined. Gently separate the zucchini ribbons with your hands and stir them into the pasta until slightly softened, 1–2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. If the pasta seems dry, add more reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the spaghetti is thoroughly coated.
6. Divide the pasta among bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Large Pot

IMUSA 16 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid - Large Cooking Pot for Soups, Stews, Pasta, Seafood Boiling and Family Meals - Riveted Handles for Easy TransportView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on AmazonKirecoo Stainless Steel Stock Pot - 8 Quart Heavy Duty Induction Cooking Pot with Visible Lid for Pasta, Soup, Spaghetti, Nonstick Thick Bottom Big Stockpot, Deep Cookware for Canning, Boiling, SimmerView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Large Pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with other long pasta like linguine or fettuccine, or even short pasta like penne. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the pork sausage for a plant-based sausage or omit it altogether and add more vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for a hearty meatless version.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.