One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage Recipe
This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage recipe is an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave a flavorful, comforting meal but don’t want to deal with the hassle of multiple dishes. With the creamy texture of the sauce, the richness of Italian sausage, and the freshness of spinach, this dish has it all—flavor, texture, and simplicity. Plus, cooking everything in a single pan means easy cleanup, making it a winner on every front.
One-pan meals are the epitome of convenience without sacrificing flavor. One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage is an incredible, satisfying dish that’s perfect for those who want to make dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. This hearty pasta dish features a creamy sauce that coats each piece of penne, savory Italian sausage, and nutrient-packed spinach—all of which come together in a single pan.
The key to this dish is its simplicity—minimal prep, easy ingredients, and the luxury of cooking everything in one pan. The Italian sausage adds a deep, savory flavor, while the spinach gives a lovely burst of freshness and color. The creamy sauce binds everything together, creating a luscious and indulgent dish that will quickly become a family favorite.
Why One-Pan Meals?
One-pan meals are the superheroes of modern home cooking. They offer a range of benefits that go far beyond their convenience factor. Here’s why one-pan meals like this Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage should have a regular spot in your meal rotation:
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Minimal Cleanup: Cooking everything in one pan reduces the number of pots and pans you’ll need to wash afterward. No one wants to spend their evening scrubbing dishes, and a one-pan meal makes cleanup a breeze.
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Flavors Develop Together: When all the ingredients are cooked together, their flavors meld and infuse into each other, creating a more harmonious and balanced dish. This is especially true for a dish like this, where the creamy sauce coats the pasta and sausage, creating an incredibly flavorful bite every time.
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Quick and Easy: These meals are often faster than traditional ones that require multiple cooking steps or the use of various appliances. All you need is a single pan, making cooking simpler.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Sausage
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Remove the Sausage Casing: Start by slicing open the Italian sausage casing. You’ll need to remove the sausage meat from the casing, as it will be crumbled into the dish. Simply use a knife to slice down the length of the sausage and peel off the casing. Alternatively, you can use kitchen scissors.
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Brown the Sausage: In your large skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and break it up into crumbles using your spoon or spatula. Let it brown evenly, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s browned, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside.
Cooking the Pasta
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Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add a little more olive oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion and garlic over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure nothing burns.
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Add the Broth and Bring to a Simmer: Add the chicken broth to the pan and bring it to a simmer. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spatula—this will add extra flavor to your sauce. Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for another 2 minutes.
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Cook the Penne: Add the penne pasta to the pan, stirring to combine. Ensure the pasta is submerged in the broth and cream mixture. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the pasta cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Adding the Spinach and Cream
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Add the Spinach: When the pasta is almost done, add the fresh spinach to the pan. Stir it into the pasta and let it wilt down for 2-3 minutes. The spinach will reduce significantly in volume.
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Finish the Sauce: Once the pasta is fully cooked and the spinach has wilted, return the sausage to the pan. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to loosen it up.
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Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. If you like extra creaminess, add more Parmesan or a touch more cream.
Cooking Tips for Success
How to Cook Pasta Perfectly in One Pan
Cooking pasta in a single pan along with the sauce requires a bit of attention. Make sure to stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan or clumping together. Keep the heat low once the pasta is added, and always make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce to ensure even cooking.
Adjusting the Creaminess
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the pasta cook for a few extra minutes without the lid, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth to achieve the desired consistency.
Balancing the Flavor
Italian sausage can vary in its seasoning. Taste the sauce as you go, and adjust the salt and spices as needed. Fresh basil will brighten up the dish and add a touch of freshness to balance the richness of the cream.
Flavor Variations
Add More Vegetables
If you want to boost the nutrition even more, consider adding other vegetables to the dish. Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers can be sautéed with the onions for additional flavor and texture.
Spice it Up
If you love spice, add some red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even some diced jalapeños to give the dish a kick.
Switch Up the Sausage
For a unique twist, try switching up the type of sausage. Chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even a sweet sausage like apple sausage will change the flavor profile while keeping the dish hearty.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can make the entire dish ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to bring back the creaminess.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian? Absolutely! Skip the sausage and add more vegetables, like mushrooms and zucchini, for a filling vegetarian alternative. You could also add some vegetarian sausage if you’d like to mimic the meaty texture.
Conclusion
This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s simple to make yet full of rich flavor. The combination of creamy sauce, savory sausage, and fresh spinach creates a deliciously balanced meal that can be prepared in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this dish is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. Feel free to customize it to your taste, and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating a delicious meal in no time!
One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage Recipe
This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage recipe is an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave a flavorful, comforting meal but don't want to deal with the hassle of multiple dishes. With the creamy texture of the sauce, the richness of Italian sausage, and the freshness of spinach, this dish has it all—flavor, texture, and simplicity. Plus, cooking everything in a single pan means easy cleanup, making it a winner on every front.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach (about 4 oz or 115g)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large, deep skillet or pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Remove the casing from the sausage and crumble it into the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 2 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Cook the pasta: Add the penne pasta to the skillet and pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Add the spinach: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the spinach, cooked sausage, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined.
- Serve: Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or even milk, though the sauce won’t be as rich.
- You can use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
- If you prefer more spice, you can use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to taste.