Macaroni and Tomatoes with Sausage and Greens

A simple rustic pasta dinner made with macaroni and tomatoes, sausage and mustard greens. It’s a comforting, hearty dinner. Perfect for weeknights.

If you are looking for a quick, easy and hearty dinner to get you through another busy week of  school and work,  you’ve got to try this Macaroni and Tomatoes with Sausage and Greens. 

It is one of my favorite meals to get me out of a cooking rut! Full of flavor, hearty and even the kiddos love it! 

Growing up the classic macaroni and tomatoes was always a favorite of mine.  Simple and easy. Heck, it was so easy that I could even make it as a kid. 

As I grew up, I decided that I wanted to make that classic dish a bit heartier so I added some Italian Sausage and Mustard Greens. The result this gorgeous colorful pasta dinner that is ready in a flash. 

Here are the ingredients you need:

• ELBOW MACARONI: Elbow macaroni is my favorite to use here but any short pasta will do!
• DICED TOMATOES: These will make the sauce nice and hearty. If you prefer smaller bites of tomatoes, petite diced is a good alternative.
• ITALIAN SAUSAGE: Use sweet or hot, whichever you prefer! If you use links, simply remove it from the casing before cooking.
• GARLIC: Because everything is better with garlic!
• MUSTARD GREENS: I adore mustard greens in this recipe! They add a peppery bite to the dish. Not to mention a pop of color.

DES’ TIP: If you’re wondering what mustard greens are, they are related to collard greens and are rich in Vitamin A, C and K. They have a lovely peppery flavor and are popular in Japanese, Chinese and Indian Cooking. To learn more about them check out this Masterclass on Mustard Greens.

Step by Step Instructions and Photos:

This whole meal comes together pretty quickly so it is perfect for weeknights.

• STEP #1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook macaroni according to package directions.
• STEP #2: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown Italian sausage. Strain and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of pan drippings if possible.
• STEP #3: n the same pan that you cooked the sausage in, add reserved pan drippings and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. If there were not enough pan drippings add another tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in garlic and let cook for 30 seconds. Stir in mustard greens. allow to cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes. Return sausage to the pan. Stir to combine.
• STEP #4: By this time your pasta should be just about ready. Strain it and mix it with the sausage and greens. Pour the tomatoes over the top. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Allow to cook for 5 – 7 more minutes or until the tomatoes are warmed through. Serve.

See! Easy right?! This pasta is the epitome of easy weeknight dinner. It’s hearty, full of flavor and a family pleaser. Try it for yourself, I’m sure you’ll agree!

To make this a full meal serve along side a green salad drizzled with garlic vinaigrette and the easiest garlic bread.

Note: This post was originally written in 2011. It was updated to include new photos, notes and nutrition information in 2021.