Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

This Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta brings a rich, savory flavor to your table. The combination of Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy Parmesan sauce creates a satisfying and indulgent meal. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and a little bit of spice, making it ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Whether you’re cooking for the family or hosting a casual dinner party, this dish will surely impress. Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a light salad to complete the meal. The creamy sauce and tender sausage combine to make every bite memorable. Plus, it’s quick and easy, making it a go-to for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and filling.

Full Recipe:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
4. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce.
7. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 680 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta: A Delicious Comfort Food That Brings Italy to Your Plate

Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender penne pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich, creamy sauce, all infused with the vibrant flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach. This dish is the perfect comfort food, offering a satisfying meal with each bite. It is a quick and easy recipe, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or when you’re craving a delicious Italian-inspired meal that feels restaurant-worthy. With a balance of spice, creaminess, and savory ingredients, this creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

This creamy Tuscan sausage pasta has a number of features that make it a go-to dish for anyone looking for a quick yet indulgent meal:

1. Quick and Easy: It takes about 30 minutes to make, which means you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in less than an hour. This makes it an excellent option for busy weeknights when you want to prepare something flavorful without spending too much time in the kitchen.
2. Restaurant Quality: Despite its simplicity, this dish rivals anything you might find at a high-end Italian restaurant. The creamy sauce, combined with the flavorful sausage and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, makes this dish both luxurious and comforting.
3. Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of savory sausage, creamy sauce, and earthy spinach makes this pasta a dish that everyone will love. It’s perfect for serving to family, friends, or a date night. Plus, it’s versatile enough to feed a crowd—just scale up the recipe!
4. Leftovers Taste Even Better: This dish develops even deeper flavors when stored in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. Whether for lunch the next day or reheated for another dinner, the creamy sauce and spices only enhance in richness, making the leftovers almost as good as—or better than—the fresh version.

Key Ingredients

While the ingredients in this recipe are simple, each one contributes to the depth of flavor and richness that defines this dish. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that come together to create a memorable meal:

• Penne Pasta: The choice of penne pasta is perfect for this dish, as its tube-like shape allows the creamy sauce to cling to each piece. However, you can swap this out for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or cavatappi, which will similarly hold the sauce well.
• Italian Sausage: The star of the dish, the Italian sausage, is flavored with fennel, garlic, and a mix of Italian spices, offering a savory base for the creamy sauce. You can choose between mild or spicy sausage depending on your heat preference. Bulk sausage is ideal because it eliminates the need to remove casings, but sausage links work just as well.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These chewy, tangy tomatoes offer an intense umami flavor that elevates the overall taste profile of the dish. The sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes contrasts beautifully with the savory sausage and the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: The creaminess of the sauce comes from heavy cream, which gives the dish its rich texture. For a lighter option, you can swap some or all of the heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, though the texture will be slightly thinner.
• Spinach: Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and a nutritious element to the dish. As the spinach wilts into the sauce, it contributes a slight earthiness that balances the richness of the cream.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavor that complements the cream and enhances the richness of the sauce. A generous sprinkling on top adds the perfect finishing touch.

Making Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

One of the reasons this pasta dish is so popular is because of how easy it is to make, while still delivering a bold flavor. Here’s a basic outline of how to prepare the dish:

1. Cooking the Pasta: The first step is to cook the penne pasta in well-salted water, following the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. It’s essential to reserve some of the pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency later.
2. Cooking the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet. Breaking it up into small pieces ensures that it cooks evenly and mixes well with the other ingredients.
3. Building the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant, then add the sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth. The seasoning mixture, which includes Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, creates a flavorful base for the sauce.
4. Finishing the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, letting the sauce simmer until it thickens. The cooked sausage and spinach are then added, allowing the spinach to wilt into the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combining Everything: Finally, the cooked penne pasta is tossed in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, use some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. The result is a rich, creamy, and flavorful pasta dish that’s ready to serve.

Tips for the Best Results

To ensure your creamy Tuscan sausage pasta turns out perfectly, here are a few expert tips:

1. Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The pasta water is essential for adjusting the sauce’s texture. The starch in the water helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta and keeps the sauce from becoming too watery. Always reserve a cup of pasta water before draining your pasta.
2. Garlic Precaution: Garlic burns easily, which can make the sauce bitter. Sauté it for only about 30 seconds to release its flavor without overcooking it.
3. Sausage Choice: For the best flavor, opt for high-quality Italian sausage. You can use either mild or spicy sausage, depending on your preference, and bulk sausage is easier to work with than sausage links, which require peeling.
4. Creamy Sauce Consistency: Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon, but you can adjust the thickness by adding more pasta water if necessary.
5. Pasta Substitution: While penne is the traditional choice, you can experiment with other pasta shapes like rigatoni, farfalle, or cavatappi. Pasta with ridges holds onto the sauce better, making each bite delicious.
6. Add-Ins and Variations: Don’t hesitate to get creative with additional ingredients. Consider adding sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or crispy bacon for an extra layer of flavor. You can also swap the spinach for kale or arugula for a different twist.
7. Serve with Sides: Pair this creamy pasta with some crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal. Roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus also complement the dish beautifully.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

One of the best things about creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is how well it stores and reheats. To keep the dish fresh:

• Storage: Allow the pasta to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the pasta on low heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a little splash of cream or milk to bring it back to a creamy consistency.

Freezing the dish is not recommended, as the cream-based sauce can separate, and the pasta may become mushy upon thawing.

Conclusion

Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is a perfect blend of comforting flavors and textures, offering a quick and easy way to bring a taste of Italy to your home. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this dish is sure to impress with its rich, savory sauce, tender sausage, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes. The combination of simple ingredients creates a complex, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With its versatility, you can also make variations to suit your tastes, ensuring this recipe remains a staple in your cooking repertoire for years to come.