Description
Hearty One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage delivers comfort in a single skillet. Rich flavors meld together for a satisfying meal you’ll crave after a long day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Sausage Searing: In a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil and crumble Italian sausage, browning thoroughly until deeply caramelized and completely cooked through.
- Aromatic Foundation: Without cleaning the skillet, add another olive oil splash and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, releasing its intense flavor profile.
- Pasta Immersion: Introduce uncooked penne directly into the skillet, pouring chicken broth to initiate a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Creamy Transformation: After pasta reaches al dente consistency, stream heavy cream and sprinkle Parmesan, stirring continuously to create a velvety, rich sauce that gradually thickens.
- Final Integration: Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, allowing leaves to wilt gracefully, then reincorporate cooked sausage, ensuring all ingredients harmonize and heat through completely.
- Serving Finale: Transfer to serving plates, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs to elevate the dish’s sensory complexity.
Notes
- Manage Sausage Browning: Ensure high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust, which develops rich, caramelized flavors.
- Control Pasta Liquid Ratio: Add chicken broth gradually and monitor moisture to prevent dry or overly soggy pasta, maintaining ideal al dente texture.
- Prevent Cream Separation: Lower heat when adding heavy cream and Parmesan to avoid curdling, stirring consistently for smooth, silky sauce consistency.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free penne, or replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt for lighter, adaptable options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg