Description
Creamy Spinach Sausage Pasta Delight brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with rich, hearty flavors. Savory sausage and silky spinach meld together in a luxurious sauce that wraps around perfectly cooked pasta, creating a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (453 g) Italian sausage
- 1 lb (453 g) pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or ziti
- 4 oz (113 g) fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 32 oz (946 ml) chicken broth, or 4 cups
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm a medium-large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil to coat the bottom, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
- Introduce diced onions and crumbled sausage to the hot oil, sautéing until onions turn translucent and sausage develops a rich, golden-brown exterior.
- Sprinkle minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the mixture, stirring vigorously for 45-60 seconds to release their aromatic essence.
- Pour chicken broth (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) into the pot, then add pasta, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the pot and bring the contents to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Stir pasta every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking, cooking until it reaches a perfect al dente texture (typically 8-10 minutes).
- Remove pot from heat source and immediately fold in fresh chopped spinach, allowing its vibrant green leaves to wilt from the residual warmth.
- Drizzle heavy cream (/ 240 milliliters) and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese (/ 50 grams), gently stirring to create a luxuriously smooth, creamy sauce that envelops each pasta strand.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.
Notes
- Opt for a high-quality Italian sausage to elevate the dish’s rich, robust flavor profile.
- Crumble sausage into small, uniform pieces for even cooking and balanced texture throughout the pasta.
- Fresh spinach wilts quickly and adds vibrant color, providing a nutritious boost to this comforting meal.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a more intense, nutty taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- One-pot cooking method reduces cleanup time and allows ingredients to meld together seamlessly.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal spice tolerance for a customized heat level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg