I begin by heating the olive oil over medium heat, then add diced onion and minced garlic. I cook them for about 2-3 minutes until the onion turns translucent and the garlic releases its aroma, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
Next, I add the sweet Italian sausage and cook it until it’s browned through. If the sausage is in casings, I remove or slice it so it cooks evenly. Browning adds flavor and caramelization.
I crank the heat up a bit and pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce. Then I stir in the linguine, halved cherry tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Raise to a boil, uncovered, and let it cook.
I boil uncovered for about 8 minutes, using tongs to rotate the linguine so it doesn’t clump. This ensures the noodles absorb flavors and don’t stick to each other or the bottom of the pot.
After the pasta has cooked for 8 minutes, I fold in fresh spinach and basil, and continue cooking another 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. I then season with salt and pepper to taste, making sure it’s balanced.