Description
This creamy sausage pasta recipe combines savory Italian sausage with tender penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
Pasta
- 1 lb. penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)
Instructions
- Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown sausage. Over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage in a skillet for about 5 minutes, breaking up any clumps. Once browned, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Sauté aromatics. Melt butter in the same pan and sauté the minced onion until soft. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Combine sausage and deglaze. Return the cooked sausage to the pan. Pour in the chicken broth or dry white wine to deglaze, scraping off any browned bits stuck to the pan.
- Add cream and season. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Incorporate cheese and thicken sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts smoothly and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add spinach. Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook until it wilts into the sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss well until the pasta is fully coated.
- Serve hot. Dish out the creamy sausage pasta and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Veggies – Swap out spinach for other veggies like peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms for different flavors and textures.
- Make it richer – Add more grated Parmesan cheese for a creamier, Alfredo-style sauce.
- Add some spice – Incorporate a few dashes of red pepper flakes into the sauce for a subtle heat.
- Use dry white wine for a brighter flavor, or chicken broth for a milder taste.
- Make sure not to overcook the spinach to retain its vibrant color and nutrients.
