I’m telling you, this recipe stole my heart! With two hungry kids, barely any time to cook, and mouths to feed ASAP, this sausage and spinach pasta became my go-to lifesaver.
I needed a dish that was fast, satisfying, and a crowd-pleaser. This sausage and spinach pasta checks all the boxes—quick to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to keep the whole family happy (and quiet!) at the table!
20-Minute Creamy Dreamy Italian Sausage Pasta
A quick, creamy Italian pasta loaded with savory sausage and fresh spinach, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Knife
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need it later to adjust the sauce.1 pound penne pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Sauté Sausage and Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Add the minced onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully browned and the onions are soft.1 pound ground Italian sausage, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Drain Excess Fat: If there’s any extra fat in the skillet from the sausage, carefully drain it off, then return the sausage mixture to the skillet. This keeps the sauce from being greasy.
- Add Cream and Wilt Spinach: Turn the heat down to low. Pour in the heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Add the baby spinach, stirring gently. Let it cook for about 3-5 minutes until the spinach is wilted and mixed well with the creamy sauce.2 cups heavy cream, 5 ounces baby spinach
- Stir in Parmesan and Combine Pasta: Add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring until it’s melted and fully blended into the sauce. Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired. Enjoy your creamy Italian sausage pasta while it’s hot!
Tips for Making This Sausage and Spinach Pasta Quickly and Perfectly
- Time-Saver Tip: Buy pre-minced garlic and pre-chopped onion to save time. You can find these in jars or frozen in most grocery stores. They work well in this dish and make prep even quicker.
- Italian Sausage Substitute: If you don’t have Italian sausage, ground turkey or chicken works too. Just add an extra pinch of Italian seasoning (about 1/2 teaspoon) to bring in more flavor.
- Cream Substitute: If heavy cream isn’t available, you can use half-and-half, though the sauce will be a bit thinner. For an even lighter option, use whole milk, but you may need to add extra Parmesan for thickness.
- Pre-Washed Spinach: Grab pre-washed baby spinach to skip rinsing and chopping. Baby spinach wilts quickly and is perfect for a fast, one-skillet meal.
- Parmesan Shortcut: Pre-grated Parmesan (the fresh kind in the refrigerated section) melts well and saves time. Avoid the shelf-stable powdered Parmesan, as it won’t melt properly and may alter the texture of the sauce.
