Tuscan Pasta with Sausage

An easy, comforting dinner idea, this Tuscan Pasta with Sausage is a 30 minute meal that is packed with flavor. 

Busy nights call for easy dinners! For more 30 minute dinner recipes, try this Beef and Broccoli or these Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

I love a good pasta dinner. And I especially love a good 30 minute meal.

And this Tuscan Pasta with Sausage is both of those!

Think – tender pasta, a creamy sauce filled with tomatoes and spinach, all cooked up with flavorful sausage.

You really can’t beat it.

This is weeknight dinner – elevated!

Ingredients

• Pasta: I like penne pasta the best in this recipe, but really, any short cut pasta should work.
• Sausage: I like to use sweet Italian sausage, but a spicy sausage would be delicious, as well.
• Garlic: I like to use freshly minced garlic.
• Diced Tomatoes: You don’t want the tomatoes to be super wet, so this is one recipe where I like to drain the tomatoes.
• Cream: This is a pretty indulgent recipe, and the cream makes it super creamy and delicious. You could try subbing in half and half or evaporated cream, but the sauce may not be as thick.
• Parmesan Cheese: I like to use freshly grated Parmesan, as it melts into the sauce easier.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning with salt and pepper to taste is very important.
• Spinach: I like to use baby spinach because it is more tender. But you could use regular spinach as well. Just make sure to chop it up first.

How to Make Tuscan Pasta with Sausage

COOK THE PASTA: You want to get the pasta started first, because it will take the longest.

BROWN THE SAUSAGE: Break the sausage up as it cooks. Add the garlic once the sausage is cooked.

MAKE THE SAUCE: Add the cream, tomatoes, and parmesan and cook until the sauce thickens up a bit.

COMBINE: Add the spinach and the cooked pasta and cook for a few more minutes until the spinach has wilted.

Tips and Tricks

This is best served right when it is done, as it the pasta will soak up the sauce the longer it sits. That being said, the leftovers are still very delicious!

If needed, add in a bit of chicken or beef broth to loosen the leftovers up a bit.

If you have good fresh tomatoes, you can sub those in for the canned tomatoes. I would suggest seeding the tomatoes before chopping them, though, to remove most of the liquid.

Change it Up

This would be delicious with sun dried tomatoes instead of the diced tomatoes. If using sun dried, I would use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. If using dry sun dried tomatoes, you will need to rehydrate them in hot water.

I love the penne, but any short cut pasta will work.

If you don’t love spinach, you can leave it out. Or try using chopped kale!

More Pasta Recipes

Alfredo Pasta with Bacon
Baked Ravioli
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Stuffed Shells
Shrimp Alfredo
Butternut Squash Pasta
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Skillet Lasagna

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Tuscan Pasta with Sausage

5 from 2 votes

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

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An easy, comforting dinner idea, this Tuscan Pasta with Sausage is a 30 minute meal that is packed with flavor.

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• ▢ 8 oz penne pasta dry
• ▢ 1 lb Italian sausage
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• ▢ 2 cups heavy cream
• ▢ 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 2 cups baby spinach torn

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve.
• Meanwhile, place a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the casings from the sausage and add to the skillet, breaking it up as you add it. Cook the sausage until browned, then add in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Stir in the tomatoes, cream, and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let the sauce cook until it has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Add in the cooked pasta and the spinach and cook until the pasta is heated through and the spinach has wilted.
• Serve garnished with additional parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 of recipe, Calories: 900kcal (45%), Carbohydrates: 23g (8%), Protein: 31g (62%), Fat: 77g (118%), Saturated Fat: 40g (250%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 33g, Cholesterol: 237mg (79%), Sodium: 1210mg (53%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 8g (9%)

Keywords: pasta recipe, tuscan pasta, tuscan pasta with sausage