Creamy Sausage & Spinach Pasta 🥩🌿🧄🍝 Hearty, Garlicky, and Coated in a Silky Parmesan Cream Sauce With a Fresh Spinach Finish

This dish is pure pasta comfort: juicy sausage, tender greens, garlic, and cream swirling together to hug every bite of pasta. It’s rich but balanced, bold but familiar — and it all comes together fast in one skillet.

Whether it’s a cold night or a rushed dinner, this one delivers every time.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz penne, rigatoni, or orecchiette
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the sausage & aromatics

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or sweet, casings removed)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano

For the sauce

• 1½ cups heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 3–4 cups fresh spinach (or chopped kale)
• Optional: splash of white wine or lemon juice

To finish

• More Parmesan
• Fresh basil or parsley
• Optional: drizzle of chili oil or lemon zest

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Brown the sausage
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Sauté aromatics
Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook 1 minute more until fragrant.

Step 4: Build the sauce
Pour in cream and bring to a low simmer. Stir in Parmesan and let it melt until smooth. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

Step 5: Combine and toss
Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Simmer 1–2 minutes to coat.

Step 6: Serve hot
Top with more Parmesan, herbs, and a drizzle of chili oil or lemon if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Use sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers for added depth
• Swap in kale or arugula instead of spinach
• Add mushrooms, peas, or caramelized onions for more texture
• Use ricotta or cream cheese for a tangier, thicker cream base
• Try smoked sausage or chorizo for a different flavor profile

Pro Tips

• Wilt spinach gently — don’t overcook or it’ll lose color and texture
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, melty finish
• Add pasta water gradually to emulsify the sauce
• For a lighter version, use milk + cornstarch or a Greek yogurt blend
• Browning the sausage well builds the flavor base — don’t rush it

Final Thoughts

Creamy Sausage & Spinach Pasta is rich, quick, and built to comfort. With just the right balance of hearty meat, velvety sauce, and fresh greens, it’s a reliable go-to for nights when you want cozy without complication.

Brown it. Wilt it. Swirl it all together. 🥩🌿🧄🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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