Description
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a luscious cream sauce with savory ground sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. This easy-to-make recipe combines Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese for a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Sausage
- 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
Vegetables
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of water and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the sausage and sauce.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until it is fully browned and no longer pink in the center, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks for even browning. Once cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Using the same skillet, combine the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Whisk the mixture over medium-high heat continuously until the sauce thickens, which typically takes several minutes. This will create a rich and creamy base for the pasta.
- Finish Dish: Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the thickened sauce and let them simmer until the spinach wilts, stirring occasionally. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add the drained penne pasta. Stir everything together and cook for another few minutes until the pasta is fully heated through and well coated with the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a slightly tangy sweetness; if unavailable, roasted red peppers can be used as a substitute.
- Parmesan cheese should be freshly grated for best flavor and texture.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
