Creamy Italian Spinach and Sausage Pasta

 
DSC05477 cc sm.jpg
 
 

This seems to be a VERY popular recipe from my IG stories. I get so many requests for the recipe. I am so happy to finally have it “down on paper” so to speak. This takes all of 25 minutes to execute. I love that it has veggies and meat all in one place. Yes, the cream sauce is a little decadent. This is definitely a heart week night meal. Perfect for those nights where kids are getting home from school and different activities. You can just keep this in one pot once it is finished and let people serve themselves!

Even Good Morning American seemed to agree, that this pasta is a winner! Check out the feature HERE!

ingredients

  • 1lb penne or rigatoni pasta

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1lb Italian style chicken sausage, out of casing, crumbled and browned

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 1/2 tbsp shallots, chopped

  • 1 tbsp garlic, chopped

  • 1 tbsp flour

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

  • 1 /2 tsp pepper

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 cup baby spinach, chopped

  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

instructions

  1. In a large pot of salted, boiling water cook pasta according to package directions. Typically 6-8 minutes for al dente pasta.

  2. Once finished cooking reserve about 1.2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.

  3. In large saute pan add some olive oil over a medium heat. Add the sausage to the pan and crumble with the wooden spoon. Once your sausage is cooked through remove from the pan and set aside.

  4. Add the butter to pan, once melted add the garlic and shallots to the pan. Saute for 2 minutes.

  5. Then add the flour to the pan continually whisking/stirring to incorporate. Cook the flour through about 1 minute.

  6. Lower your heat and then add in the heavy cream. Continue to whisk, letting the sauce come a simmer.

  7. Add in you spinach and let it wilt into the sauce, about 3-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

  8. Add your sausage into the pan, stir to incorporate.

  9. Add in your pasta, stir to coat. Then add in the pasta water, continuing to stir.

  10. Turn off the heat and add in the grated cheese. Add in a splash of the lemon juice and toss everything together and serve.

RECIPE NOTES:

 
Dinner, Pastadishitgirlweeknight dish, easy, quick, pasta, spinach, sausageComment