Description
This creamy sausage pasta is a quick and satisfying dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich, flavorful sauce made with Italian sausage, creamy Parmesan, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, as preferred)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, cook while crumbling until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic with the onions and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the skillet: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Simmer cream sauce: Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook vegetables: Toss in the cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves, cooking until the spinach wilts slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine sausage: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine evenly with the sauce and vegetables.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season: Season the dish with salt and pepper to your taste and stir well.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for a bit of heat or sweet sausage for a milder flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is important for adjusting the sauce thickness and helping it cling to the pasta.
- Feel free to add mushrooms or bell peppers for additional vegetables and texture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.
