Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add penne pasta, and cook al dente as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until crispy, breaking it apart for even texture.
- Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Create the sauce base: Pour in heavy cream and simmer for about 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add spinach and cheese: Mix in fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Toss everything together: Combine cooked pasta with the sauce ensuring even coverage; garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Substitute chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner option. Add seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra flavor. For easy reheating, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.