One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage

Imagine the aroma of sizzling Italian sausage mingling with garlic and herbs, creating a mouthwatering symphony in your kitchen. This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage delivers a luxurious blend of savory flavors, vibrant greens, and al dente pasta—all prepared in a single skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for weekend entertaining, this comforting pasta dish strikes the perfect balance between convenience and indulgence. You’ll learn how to create a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal cleanup, using simple ingredients that transform into a creamy, satisfying dinner everyone will request again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage isn’t just another pasta recipe—it’s a game-changer for your dinner rotation. First, the one-pan approach means you’ll spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your evening. The combination of textures makes each bite an experience: tender pasta, juicy sausage with a slight caramelized exterior, and wilted spinach that practically melts into the velvety sauce.

The creamy garlic-parmesan sauce coats every ridge of the penne, ensuring flavor in every forkful. Unlike many creamy pasta dishes that can feel overwhelmingly heavy, the fresh spinach adds brightness and a nutritional boost that balances the richness perfectly.

What truly sets this sausage penne dish apart is how the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all those incredible flavors instead of being boiled separately in plain water. This technique creates a depth of flavor that simply can’t be achieved through traditional pasta cooking methods, elevating a simple weeknight dinner to something truly special.

Ingredients

For this delicious One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or hot, based on preference)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 8 oz (225g) penne pasta, uncooked
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
• 4 cups fresh spinach, packed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

The Italian sausage provides the primary flavor foundation—choose sweet for family-friendly meals or spicy for an extra kick. Fresh spinach works best for this creamy pasta with sausage, as frozen spinach may release too much water. For the creamiest sauce, use heavy cream rather than substitutes, though half-and-half can work in a pinch.

Pro Tips

Perfect Sausage Browning: Don’t rush the first step of browning your Italian sausage. Take your time to develop a deep golden crust on the meat, which creates essential flavor compounds that will infuse the entire dish. Break the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it cooks, creating various sizes for textural interest throughout your One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage.

The Al Dente Secret: When cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, test it 2 minutes before the package instructions suggest it would be done. The pasta will continue absorbing liquid as it sits, so serving it with a slight firmness ensures it won’t become mushy. If the pasta isn’t quite done but the liquid is nearly absorbed, add a splash more broth (about ¼ cup at a time).

Spinach Timing: Add the spinach only in the final minutes of cooking. The residual heat will perfectly wilt the greens while maintaining their vibrant color and nutritional value. Stir in portions rather than all at once to ensure even wilting, allowing each handful to begin collapsing before adding the next.

Instructions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. The sausage should develop a caramelized exterior for maximum flavor in your One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage.

Step 2

Add diced onion to the sausage and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic which would introduce bitterness.

Step 3

Add the uncooked penne pasta to the skillet and stir to coat with the sausage mixture. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with your spoon to release any browned bits—these contain concentrated flavor that will enrich your sauce.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 5

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated into the creamy sauce.

Step 6

Gradually add the fresh spinach in batches, stirring after each addition until wilted. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, remembering that the sausage and broth already contain salt.

Step 7

Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes—this resting period allows the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency. Serve your One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

Variations

Mediterranean Version: Transform this One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage by swapping the Italian sausage for ground lamb seasoned with oregano and mint. Add halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, and crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan. This variation creates a bright, Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s perfect for summer evenings.

Vegetarian Adaptation: Create a meat-free version by replacing the Italian sausage with 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (cremini or portobello work beautifully) and a diced red bell pepper sautéed until caramelized. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken, and consider adding a tablespoon of soy sauce or miso paste to develop the umami flavors that the sausage would typically provide in this spinach pasta dish.

Dairy-Free Option: For those avoiding dairy, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan alternative. The coconut milk adds a subtle sweetness that complements the savory sausage beautifully, creating a creamy one-pan pasta that everyone can enjoy.

Storage and Serving

This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to. When reheating, add a splash of broth or milk to revive the creamy texture, as the pasta will have absorbed more of the sauce during storage.

For serving, pair this creamy sausage pasta with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil—the peppery greens and bright acidity provide a perfect counterpoint to the rich pasta. A side of garlic bread makes an excellent vehicle for scooping up extra sauce and completing the meal.

For an elevated presentation, serve in wide, shallow bowls topped with additional fresh herbs like basil or parsley, a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, and a generous crack of black pepper. This touch of finesse transforms a humble one-pot meal into a dinner party-worthy centerpiece.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, other short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or farfalle work well in this One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage recipe. Just be aware that cooking times may vary slightly based on the shape and thickness of the pasta you choose.

How can I make this dish less spicy for kids? Use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot, omit the red pepper flakes, and consider adding an extra splash of cream to mellow out the flavors. You can always serve red pepper flakes on the side for adults who prefer more heat.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time? While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Cook the sausage and onion mixture, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, resume from the pasta-adding step, though you might need to extend cooking time slightly.

Is there a lighter alternative to heavy cream? Half-and-half can be substituted, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich. For a lighter version, try using ¼ cup of cream cheese mixed with ¼ cup of milk instead of the heavy cream.

What can I add to increase the vegetable content? Besides spinach, you can add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. Add firmer vegetables like peppers with the onions, and more delicate ones like tomatoes in the final minutes of cooking.

Conclusion

This One-Pan Creamy Penne with Spinach and Italian Sausage is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of savory sausage, tender pasta, and vibrant spinach all brought together in a silky, garlic-infused cream sauce. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary Tuesday into a special occasion, without demanding hours of your time or creating a sink full of dishes. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, entertaining friends, or simply treating yourself to a well-deserved home-cooked meal, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of convenience and indulgence that makes cooking a joy rather than a chore.

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