Description
This Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings. Combined with savory cooked ground sausage, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, this recipe delivers a comforting and indulgent meal perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s an easy yet impressive Italian-inspired pasta dish.
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 & Extras
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside to be added later.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until it is fully browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Using the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously over medium-high heat until the sauce begins to thicken and the cheese is melted, forming a creamy consistency.
- Finish Dish: Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce, stirring and allowing the spinach to wilt slightly. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and then add the cooked penne pasta. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
Notes
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you prefer a bit of heat in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra depth of flavor.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add more richness; drain them if you prefer a lighter taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese before serving for added aroma and taste.
