Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Stir in the fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Stir in the fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.