Description
Ready for the ultimate comfort food that doesn’t leave a sink full of dishes? This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage is the weeknight dinner dream—hearty, rich, and done in under 30 minutes. Tender penne pasta simmers in a single pan with savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, garlic, onion, and a velvety parmesan cream sauce that clings to every bite. Whether you’re hunting for a quick dinner idea, a cozy cold-weather dish, or something easy that tastes like you fussed, this recipe hits the mark. Perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or anyone craving creamy pasta perfection. Try it once, and it’ll be on repeat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casings removed
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3–4 cups water or chicken broth (enough to just cover pasta)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up as it browns.
- Once mostly cooked, stir in diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until onion is soft and fragrant.
- Add penne pasta to the pan and pour in enough water or broth to cover it. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
- Add spinach and let it wilt into the sauce, about 2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if using.
- Serve hot with extra parmesan and cracked pepper if desired.