Description
A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, perfect for any pasta lover.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (choose mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta until it reaches an al dente texture, following the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a spacious skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Introduce the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula, and sauté until it turns a golden brown and is fully cooked, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes.
- Next, add the chopped garlic and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stirring occasionally for about 2 to 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Incorporate the baby spinach into the mixture, cooking just until it wilts, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and gently pour in the heavy whipping cream, stirring well to blend. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese and dried Italian herbs, mixing until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
- Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Toss the drained penne pasta into the skillet, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the luscious sauce.
- Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if you desire.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by choosing mild or spicy sausage.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, but the pasta may absorb some sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg