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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich creamy sauce with spinach and Parmesan. Perfect for cozy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casing removed and crumbled (sweet or spicy)
  • 12 ounces (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340g) penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add 1 pound (450g) crumbled Italian sausage. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion (1 small) and minced garlic (3 cloves) to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
  4. Toss in 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream and 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it reduce slightly for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fold in 2 cups chopped fresh spinach and cooked sausage. Cook until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy warm.

Notes

Do not rush browning the sausage to develop flavor. Keep heat moderate when simmering cream to prevent sauce from breaking. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use dairy-free cheese. For vegetarian, omit sausage and add mushrooms or roasted eggplant.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan sausage pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian sausage recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner

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