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Creamy Penne Recipe: Easy Spinach & Sausage Pasta

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A comforting bowl of penne pasta coated in a creamy sauce, paired with savory Italian sausage and fresh spinach. Perfect for busy nights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the sausage. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add the spinach to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted. Stir in the cooked sausage.
  7. Combine the cooked penne pasta with the sauce and sausage mixture. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
  8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
  9. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Use fresh spinach and garlic for maximum flavor. Deglazing the pan with chicken broth adds depth to the sauce. Adjust spice levels by choosing mild or spicy sausage.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy pasta, Spinach pasta, Italian sausage recipe, Easy dinner, Comfort food, Weeknight meal

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/creamy-penne-recipe-easy-spinach-and-sausage-pasta/