Description
This creamy sausage pasta is a quick and comforting dish combining savory Italian sausage with a rich, cheesy cream sauce, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes over perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
Sausage and cooking fat
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, as preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Sauce ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the onion: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent and softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic with the onions and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze with broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate more flavor into the sauce.
- Simmer with cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and the cheese is fully melted.
- Add vegetables: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves. Cook until the spinach wilts slightly, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine sausage and sauce: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving for a burst of fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- Use sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your desired heat level.
- Reserve pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
