Print

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

creamy tuscan sausage pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and creamy pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for quick, cozy dinners with a flavorful twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained, reserve oil)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (75 g)
  • 2 cups baby spinach (60 g), optional
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta (340 g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (use reserved sun-dried tomato oil if available)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne or rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil (or reserved sun-dried tomato oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in pan.
  3. In the same pan, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring often to avoid burning.
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes to infuse flavor.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits. Let simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream. Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Return cooked sausage to the pan along with baby spinach. Stir until spinach wilts.
  8. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss gently. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  9. Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use quality Italian sausage for best flavor. Brown sausage well for caramelized taste. Add cream on low heat to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Add spinach at the end to keep it bright and fresh. Timing is key to have pasta and sauce ready simultaneously. For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free variety. For dairy-free, use coconut or cashew cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan sausage pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian sausage recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, penne pasta, rigatoni pasta

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-tuscan-sausage-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/