Savor the Heat: Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta with Spinach Delight
Learn how to make delicious Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta with Spinach. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Scale
Gathering your ingredients is like assembling a team of trusted friends, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Feel free to make this dish your own. If spicy sausage isn’t your thing, a mild version works just as well. And for a lighter twist, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream without sacrificing creaminess.
Instructions
Bringing this dish to life is as joyful as a dance in the kitchen, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way:
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Lower the heat and add the spinach, stirring until wilted. This reminds me of my grandma’s way of sneaking greens into our meals, making them irresistible.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let it heat through. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it thoroughly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and give it one last stir before serving.
This dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for those nights when you crave something homemade but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
