Description
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a delightful and simple recipe that combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes in a creamy sauce, served over penne pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach, fresh
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes and spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, along with the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Stir until the pasta is well coated and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage.
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg