Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta combining savory ground sausage, tender penne pasta, and a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, all brightened with fresh spinach. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Meat
- 1 pound ground sausage
Sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until it is browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk the mixture constantly over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Finish Dish: Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce, and simmer until the spinach wilts. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Finally, add the drained pasta and mix everything well, heating through before serving.
Notes
- Use a good quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, consider using a spicy Italian sausage or adding red pepper flakes.
- The sun-dried tomatoes add a wonderful tangy sweetness; if you cannot find them, roasted red peppers can be a substitute.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh garlic can replace garlic powder for a more robust garlic flavor.
