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One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage


  • Author: Wendy Balderas
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This one-pan creamy penne with spinach and Italian sausage is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish, made with fresh spinach, savory Italian sausage, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights and only uses one pan, making cleanup easy.

 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook Pasta: Boil penne pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  • Brown Sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add Italian sausage, and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (5-7 minutes).
  • Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant.
  • Add Spinach: Add spinach to the skillet, cooking until wilted (about 2-3 minutes).
  • Make Sauce: Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine, then gradually add Parmesan until the sauce is melted and creamy.
  • Season and Combine: Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired, then add cooked pasta and mix to coat.
  • Serve: Serve warm, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Substitute frozen spinach if needed, but thaw and drain it well.
  • Make it spicier with extra red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.
  • For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: One-pan
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Fat: 35g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 25g

Keywords: creamy sausage pasta, one-skillet penne pasta, spinach and sausage pasta, easy creamy pasta recipe