Description

Hey friends, Beau here! This creamy sausage pasta is the ultimate weeknight hug on a plate. Juicy Italian sausage, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce make this a one-pan wonder (plus the pasta pot). Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s hearty, satisfying, and simple.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Protein

300 g pasta (penne or fusilli; rigatoni or farfalle also work)
300 g Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or hot)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste

Flavor Boosters

3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 cups fresh spinach

Creamy Sauce

1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated if possible

Optional Garnish & Sides

Extra Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves
Lemon zest
Garlic bread for serving

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Brown the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned.

3. Build the Aromatics

Push sausage to the side. Add garlic and chili flakes (if using) to the cleared space and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir into sausage.

4. Add Tomatoes & Cream

Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Wilt Spinach & Add Cheese

Turn off heat. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Add Parmesan, stirring until smooth and velvety.

6. Combine Pasta & Sauce

Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Mushroom Lover: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms with the sausage.
Greens Swap: Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard.
Chicken & Bacon Twist: Swap sausage for diced chicken and add cooked bacon for smokiness.
Pesto Kick: Stir 2 tbsp basil pesto into the sauce for herby flavor.
Lighter Version: Use half-and-half or whole milk and lean ground turkey.

Nutrition

Calories: 620 Cal Per Serving
Sugar: 4 g
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Protein: 25 g