Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta (see our pasta tag)
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cups fresh spinach (see our spinach tag)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and prepare them accordingly. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and set the spinach aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced onion until translucent, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add the pasta to the skillet with the cooked spinach and aromatics.
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly. Add the cooked Italian sausage back to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if you’d like.
Notes
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft when combined with the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of cream and cheese to achieve your preferred level of creaminess.
- Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture; frozen spinach can be substituted if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: adaptable for low-carb, gluten-free (with gluten-free pasta), and vegetarian options (with plant-based sausage)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 530 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 90mg