Description
Indulge in this creamy Tuscan pasta dish combined with the heartiness of Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (ground)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (torn, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining, and set both aside.
- While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about a minute or until fragrant, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in the heavy cream, bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, followed by the cooked sausage and baby spinach. Keep cooking until the spinach is wilted, approximately 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked penne into the skillet, coating it well with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with torn basil leaves and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Let the pasta cool before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, creamy sauce, Tuscan sausage, quick dinner, Italian recipe