Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is an indulgent and comforting dish that combines savory Italian sausage with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and a creamy sauce. This pasta is the perfect balance of rich flavors and textures, with the sausages and creamy sauce coating every bite of penne. It’s a quick and easy dish to make that will satisfy even the most discerning pasta lovers.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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1 lb penne pasta
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, bulk or links)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
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1 cup chicken broth
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp red pepper flakes
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2 cups heavy cream
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1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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2 cups baby spinach
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish
Directions
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
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Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
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Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
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Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and cook for 3-5 minutes to thicken the sauce. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet along with the spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts (about 1-2 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Combine the Pasta: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
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Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrients
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Calories: 600-700 kcal per serving
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Fat: 35g
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Protein: 25g
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Carbohydrates: 55g
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Fiber: 4g
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Sugar: 5g
The Essential Ingredients: What Makes This Dish Stand Out
At its core, the success of Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta lies in its ingredients. The sausage—whether mild or spicy—is crucial for providing the flavor foundation. Bulk sausage or sausage in casings can both be used, and you’ll want to break it up into small pieces to ensure it cooks through evenly. The use of sun-dried tomatoes provides a sweet, tangy depth of flavor, which contrasts beautifully with the richness of the cream and Parmesan cheese.
Baby spinach adds a pop of green and balances the heaviness of the cream and sausage. It also gives the dish a hint of freshness. The creamy sauce is made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a luxurious texture that coats the pasta beautifully. The addition of chicken broth enhances the sauce’s depth, while the red pepper flakes provide just enough heat to add an extra layer of flavor.
Cooking the Sausage: The Flavor Foundation
The first step in creating the perfect Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is browning the sausage. It’s important to cook the sausage thoroughly to bring out its flavors. As the sausage cooks, it releases its fat, which helps to flavor the sauce. Breaking the sausage up into smaller pieces as it cooks ensures that each bite will have the right amount of flavor. The fat from the sausage is then used as a base for sautéing the garlic and other ingredients, imparting an extra layer of savory goodness into the dish.
Creating the Creamy Sauce: The Heart of the Dish
The creamy sauce that envelops the pasta is the soul of this dish. After cooking the sausage, the skillet is deglazed with chicken broth, which loosens any caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan, infusing the sauce with even more flavor. Adding the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes helps to build layers of flavor, with the tomatoes providing a tangy richness that cuts through the creaminess of the sauce.
Once the sauce comes together, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are stirred in. The cream adds a luscious, velvety texture to the sauce, while the Parmesan melts into the sauce, giving it that signature cheesy depth. The sauce should simmer for a few minutes to thicken, and you can adjust the consistency by adding a bit of reserved pasta water if needed.
Combining the Ingredients: Bringing Everything Together
Once the sauce is ready, the cooked sausage and spinach are added to the skillet. The spinach wilts quickly in the hot sauce, adding color and freshness. The cooked penne is then tossed into the skillet, ensuring that each piece of pasta is coated in the rich, creamy sauce. If the sauce has thickened too much during the simmering process, the reserved pasta water can be added, helping to loosen the sauce and ensuring that it clings to the pasta without being too heavy.
Garnishing and Serving: The Finishing Touch
To finish, the dish is garnished with fresh basil, which adds a touch of aromatic freshness. Extra Parmesan cheese is also a great addition for those who love an extra cheesy kick. This simple yet elegant touch elevates the dish, making it not just a comforting meal but a visually appealing one as well.
Serving Suggestions: Pairing with the Right Sides
While Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a complete meal on its own, it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the pasta. Alternatively, garlic bread or a side of roasted vegetables would complement the flavors of the pasta nicely, providing some texture contrast to the creamy sauce.
For wine pairings, a white wine with good acidity, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, will help cut through the richness of the sauce. If you prefer red wine, a light red like Pinot Noir works well with the sausage and the creamy elements of the dish.
Conclusion: An Easy, Indulgent Pasta Dish
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, yet simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. The balance of savory sausage, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach creates a comforting and satisfying dish that can easily become a weeknight favorite. It’s perfect for anyone who loves hearty pasta dishes, and the flavors are so well-rounded that it’s sure to impress family and friends. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply as a weeknight treat, this pasta is bound to become a staple in your cooking repertoire.