Description

This Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a rich and satisfying dish featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a flavorful sauce made with Italian sausage, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or casual dinner with family and friends.

Ingredients

Pasta

8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked

Sausage and Sauce

1 pound ground sausage
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Vegetables

2 cups chopped spinach
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the penne pasta. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Cook Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink. Once cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
Prepare Sauce: Using the same skillet with the sausage drippings, add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
Finish Dish: Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce and simmer until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes. Return the cooked sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Finally, add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together until heated through and evenly coated with the sauce.

Notes

Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use low-fat sausage.
Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add more flavor but can be drained for a lower-fat option.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for melting and flavor.
Serve with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.