Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is a rich and flavorful one-pan dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Featuring penne or fettuccine pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made from browned Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan blend, this Italian-American classic is elevated with fresh baby spinach and optional basil garnish. Easy to prepare and customizable with your choice of mild or spicy sausage, it’s a comforting meal that pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a green salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
Sauce and Main
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- salt and black pepper to taste
- fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes to release their flavor.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce slightly thickens and the cheese has melted.
- Toss Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked pasta and baby spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce and allow the spinach to wilt.
- Adjust Consistency and Season: If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy sausage pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- You can use spicy or mild Italian sausage depending on your preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
