Rustic Italian Sausage Penne with Spinach and Creamy Tomato Sauce

A comforting skillet pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, tender penne, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

• Prep: 10 min
• Cook: 20 min
• Total: 30 min
• Servings: 6
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.47/serving

Dietary

• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Low-Sugar

Tags

• one-pot
• quick
• comfort food
• savory
• sauté
• rich
• budget-friendly

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion (medium, chopped)
• 3 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1.75 cup chicken broth
• 12 ounce penne pasta
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 5 ounce fresh spinach
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for 1 minute more until fragrant.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Add the penne pasta to the skillet, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more broth.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook, stirring, until the spinach has wilted completely.
6. Fold in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 633
• Protein: 27 g
• Carbohydrates: 57.8 g
• Fat: 33.3 g
• Fiber: 6.6 g
• Sodium: 1764 mg
• Saturated Fat: 13.8 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg