Description
A quick, one-pan meal combining tender penne pasta, savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers bold flavors, minimal cleanup, and can be ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking into pieces.
- Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in penne pasta. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mix in spinach until wilted, then stir in Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Adjust spice level with red pepper flakes.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted bell peppers for extra flavor.
- Substitute spinach with kale or arugula for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pan cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
Keywords: Creamy one-pot penne pasta, Italian sausage pasta recipe, Spinach and sausage creamy penne, One-skillet pasta dinner