Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring creamy penne pasta tossed with savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and full of delicious Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Meat
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage (choose your preferred heat level)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Other
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: white wine for extra flavor
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pan, bring salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Sausage: In the same pan, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spatula until fully cooked and browned. Remove cooked sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the sausage fat left in the pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Incorporate the fresh spinach into the pan with the aromatics, cooking until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Slowly pour this mixture into the pan, stirring well to combine with the spinach and aromatics.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage and drained penne pasta to the pan. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.
- Serve: Plate the creamy penne and top with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired for garnish.
- What to Serve: Serve alongside a fresh green salad, crispy garlic bread, and a glass of bold red wine to complement the rich flavors of the dish.
- Storage and Reheating: Cool leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain creaminess.
Notes
- Choose Italian sausage heat level according to your spice preference to control the dish’s overall flavor intensity.
- For a thicker sauce, add cornstarch or flour mixed with a little cold heavy cream before adding the sauce to the pan.
- Cooking pasta first and using the same pan reduces dishes and builds more flavor in the final dish.
