Description
This Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a rich and comforting dish made with savory Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed, for browning sausage)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, oil-packed is best)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (for extra flavor and silkiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale, chopped)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water for the sauce.
2. Brown the Sausage
- In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Remove excess grease if needed, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine & Serve
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, letting it wilt.
- Toss in the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water if needed for extra creaminess.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Garnish & Enjoy!
- Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.
- Pair with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal!
Notes
- Prefer it lighter? Swap half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt.
- Make it spicier! Use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.
- No sun-dried tomatoes? Substitute with cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or omit entirely.