Description
This creamy Italian sausage pasta recipe combines savory Italian sausage, tender penne pasta, and fresh spinach in a rich, luscious cream sauce finished with Parmesan cheese and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes. Ready in just 35 minutes, this comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that brings classic Italian flavors right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300 grams (10.5 oz) penne pasta
Meat
- 300 grams (10.5 oz) Italian sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 150 grams (5 oz) fresh spinach
Dairy
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) Parmesan cheese, grated
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Penne Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Brown the Italian Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Onion, Garlic, and Red Pepper Flakes: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with the aromatics. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Add Sausage and Spinach: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add fresh spinach. Stir continuously until the spinach wilts. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce and Cheese: Add the drained penne pasta and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Italian sausage pasta warm, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for an added kick.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water is useful for adjusting the sauce consistency without diluting flavors.
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or arugula for a variation.
- Parmesan can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a thinner sauce.
