Description
A rich, one-pan meal with savory pork-free sausage, al dente penne, and a luscious cream sauce tossed with spinach and Parmesan. Restaurant-quality comfort in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Ground Italian sausage (chicken or turkey for pork-free)
1 pound
Penne pasta
1 pound
Olive oil
1 tablespoon
Yellow onion
1/2, minced
Garlic cloves
2, minced
Red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Heavy cream
2 cups
Baby spinach
5 ounces
Shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil
Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente
Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
Add ground Italian sausage, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt
Cook until no longer pink and onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes
Deglaze the skillet with heavy cream, stirring to incorporate browned bits
Add baby spinach and sauté until wilted
Stir in shredded Parmesan cheese until a thick, velvety sauce forms
Mix in cooked pasta, using reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency
Garnish with additional Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired
Notes
Use chicken or turkey sausage to avoid pork
Remove sausage casings before cooking if using links
Reserve pasta water is crucial for emulsifying the sauce
Cook pasta al dente for optimal texture
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg