Description
This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich and flavorful sauce made with Italian sausage, garlic, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Baby spinach adds a fresh touch, making it perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Sauce and Meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for about 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and cream: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Toss pasta with sauce and spinach: Add the cooked pasta and baby spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together until the spinach wilts and the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of flavor or substitute with chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- You can swap baby spinach for kale or arugula if preferred.
- If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer before adding pasta.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream and a vegan Parmesan alternative.
