Description
A rich and creamy Italian sausage pasta recipe that combines perfectly cooked pasta with a savory sausage cream sauce, enhanced by garlic, onion, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner and can be customized with spicy or sweet sausage and paired beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp salad.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to add flavor.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach (if using) and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the dish and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- You can use either spicy or sweet Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- This pasta pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
