Description
A flavorful and easy one-skillet meal combining Italian sausage, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
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. Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Add cream, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3-5 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, followed by cooked sausage and baby spinach. Cook until spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
This dish is quick and easy, perfect for busy evenings. Feel free to add different vegetables or proteins to customize.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg