Easy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Recipe That’s Ready in 20 Minutes

Sausage and spinach pasta delivers a mouthwatering culinary adventure that refines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Mediterranean flavors dance through this hearty dish, promising robust and satisfying sensations for hungry diners.

Bold spices intermingle with tender meat and vibrant greens, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Home cooks love how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Nutritious spinach adds incredible depth and wholesome goodness to the classic comfort food combination.

Each forkful bursts with rich, savory notes that tantalize the palate and spark excitement around the dinner table.

Warm, inviting aromas will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to savor this delectable creation.

Why You’ll Love Sausage and Spinach Pasta

• Savor Hearty Flavor Explosion: This recipe combines spicy Italian sausage, aromatic herbs, and creamy sauce for a mouthwatering taste experience that bursts with rich, complex flavors.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Comfort: Packed with tender pasta, crispy sausage, wilted spinach, and a luxurious cream sauce, this one-pan meal delivers gourmet taste with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping sausage types, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to make it your own unique dinner masterpiece.

The Secret Ingredients for Sausage and Spinach Pasta

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful and hearty protein that provides the main savory base for the dish.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat mixture, enhancing overall flavor.

• Garlic, Oregano, Fennel Seeds, Black Pepper, Rosemary, Thyme Leaves, Crushed Red Pepper: A complex blend of aromatics that create a rich, layered flavor profile with warm and spicy notes.

• Penne Pasta: A sturdy pasta shape that holds sauce well and provides a satisfying texture.
• Chicken Broth: Helps deglaze the pan and adds additional depth to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and smooth base for the sauce, giving the dish a luxurious feel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds a concentrated, tangy sweetness to the dish.
• Spinach: Introduces a fresh, nutritious element and vibrant green color.
• Salt and Pepper: Final seasoning to balance and enhance all the flavors.

Cooking Sausage and Spinach Pasta

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook Italian sausage for 3-4 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Add finely chopped onion and continue cooking until sausage is completely browned and onions turn soft and translucent.

Step 2: Enhance with Aromatic Spices

• Minced garlic
• Oregano
• Fennel seeds
• Black pepper
• Rosemary
• Thyme leaves
• Crushed red pepper

Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat and keep warm.

Step 3: Prepare the Pasta

Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Drain pasta thoroughly in a colander. If using microwaveable pasta, set aside until sauce preparation is almost complete.

Step 4: Craft the Creamy Sauce

Return skillet to stove. Pour chicken broth to deglaze the pan, carefully scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer, allowing sauce to reduce by half, which takes approximately 10 minutes.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

• Parmesan cheese
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh spinach

Stir until cheese melts completely and spinach wilts. Incorporate the sausage mixture and cooked pasta, tossing gently to ensure even coating. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Essential Tips for Making Sausage and Spinach Pasta

• Sizzle Sausage Perfectly: Break the sausage into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even browning and maximize flavor distribution.
• Herb Harmony: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding to release their essential oils and intensify the aromatic profile of the dish.
• Cream Sauce Consistency: Simmer the sauce slowly and stir frequently to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth, velvety texture.
• Spinach Wilting Wisdom: Add spinach at the very end and cook just until it wilts to maintain its vibrant green color and retain maximum nutrients.
• Pasta Pairing Pro: Choose a short, sturdy pasta like penne that can hold onto the creamy sauce and catch the small bits of sausage and herbs.

Storing and Reheating Sausage and Spinach Pasta Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Seal leftover pasta in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and completely cooled before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking, cooking until the dish reaches 165°F.
• Microwave Method: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth and prevent dry spots. Check the temperature and enjoy your delicious meal quickly.

Perfect Pairings for Sausage and Spinach Pasta

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Complement the rich, spicy sausage flavors with a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the creamy sauce and enhances the herbs.
• Crisp Side Salad Solution: Balance the hearty pasta with a light arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, which adds freshness and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, toasted garlic bread to soak up the delicious cream sauce and provide a crunchy textural contrast to the soft pasta.
• Chilled White Wine Alternative: For those preferring white wine, choose a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness and complement the sun-dried tomatoes and herbs.

Sausage and Spinach Pasta: Fun Variations to Try

• Spicy Mediterranean Pasta: Replace Italian sausage with chorizo, add kalamata olives, and swap rosemary for fresh basil. Increase crushed red pepper for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Substitute sausage with crumbled plant-based meat or roasted chickpeas. Include mushrooms for additional umami flavor and texture.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Use Greek yogurt or half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add lemon zest and swap some spinach with arugula for a tangy, fresh profile.
• Seafood Fusion Pasta: Replace sausage with sautéed shrimp or crab meat. Mix in capers and swap thyme with dill for a coastal-inspired dish.

Sausage And Spinach Pasta Delight Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sausage and Spinach Pasta Delight brings Italian countryside comfort to your dinner table. Hearty Italian sausage mingles with fresh spinach and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a satisfying meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage
• 1 cup baby spinach
• ⅔ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked penne pasta or 2 packages of precooked microwaveable pasta (8.5 ounces/241 grams each)
• 1 ¾ cups (414 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) chicken broth

Herbs, Spices, and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned and drained
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and crumble the Italian sausage, cooking for 3-4 minutes while breaking it into small pieces. Incorporate finely diced onions and continue sautéing until the meat is completely golden and onions turn translucent.
2. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle minced garlic, oregano, fennel seeds, ground black pepper, rosemary, thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper into the sausage mixture. Gently stir and cook for approximately 60 seconds to release the aromatic flavors.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the penne pasta according to package directions, aiming for al dente texture. Drain thoroughly in a colander, ensuring minimal moisture remains.
4. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour in heavy cream and increase heat, bringing the liquid to a gentle boil.
5. Reduce heat and allow the sauce to simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces by half, approximately 8-10 minutes.
6. Lower the temperature and fold in grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach leaves. Stir until the cheese melts completely and spinach wilts.
7. Reunite the reserved sausage mixture with the pasta, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as desired.
8. Serve immediately in warmed pasta bowls, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese if preferred.

Notes

• Sausage Prep Matters: Properly browning Italian sausage with onions creates a rich, flavorful base that infuses the entire dish with deep, savory notes.
• Spice Blend Magic: The combination of oregano, fennel seeds, rosemary, and thyme transforms ordinary sausage into an aromatic masterpiece that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Cream Sauce Technique: Deglazing the pan with chicken broth and reducing the cream sauce concentrates flavors, creating a luxuriously silky texture that clings perfectly to the pasta.
• Wilting Spinach Wisdom: Adding spinach at the end preserves its vibrant color and nutrients while gently incorporating it into the creamy sauce for a fresh, balanced meal.
• Cheese Enhancement: Parmesan cheese melts seamlessly, adding a salty, nutty depth that elevates the entire dish from simple to spectacular.
• Quick Tip: For best results, have all ingredients prepped and ready before cooking to ensure a smooth, stress-free cooking experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 685 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 55 g
• Saturated Fat: 28 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg