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Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is pretty much a one pan wonder you will want to cook over and over again! Perfect for a busy night, this is a hearty comforting dish that will truly satisfy.
Tuscan recipes are so divine! I love the flavor combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and cream! These reader-favorite Tuscan recipes are the perfect example: try Creamy Tuscan Scallops, Shrimp or Chicken!
Italian Sausage Pasta
This is a super easy pasta recipe that tastes like you slaved over it all day. This Tuscan dish has tender pasta, savory sausage, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes and spinach all smothered in a creamy decadent sauce. It’s insanely delicious and it’s so quick and easy! You can even argue that it’s made in one pan, especially if you already had pasta already cooked. This creamy sausage pasta hits the spot when comes to wanting something full of flavor and comforting. It will no doubt become a new family favorite!
This will feel like you’re eating at a fancy Italian restaurant or having an intimate dinner for two all in the comfort of your own home. Pair this with a side of breadsticks, some roasted vegetables and a tasty chocolate dessert and you have fine dining perfect for busy weekdays. Whether it’s your first time with a Tuscan sauce or not, you have to try this tonight! You are going to love the way the sausage and sun-dried tomatoes come together in this sauce. It’s heavenly.
What is Tuscan Cooking?
Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of cucina povera or “poor cooking.” It’s a concept of cooking that started very literally. It means simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be made into large amounts. For instance this recipe can be doubled super easily as could this Tuscan pasta salad or vegetable and chicken stew. They are filling dishes that taste amazing without super expensive ingredients!
Tuscan cooking doesn’t use complicated seasonings or elaborate ingredients. This is because they focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring out incredible flavors without the extras. It’s delicious done simply!
Ingredients for Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Creating this creamy dish is fast and easy and doesn’t take a bunch of crazy ingredients. Pick your favorite type meat! Ground sausage, pork, chicken and turkey all work so well. You can also control the spice level depending on what kind of sausage you get. If you like it hot, feel free to add red pepper flakes as garnish as well!
- Penne Pasta: I love penne because it soaks up the delicious sauce, but you can use your favorite pasta instead.
- Ground Sausage: Pick your favorite kind- mild, or spicy, pork or chicken!
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce so nice and creamy!
- Chicken Broth: Adds richness and flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic adds a great flavor in this Tuscan pasta.
- Italian Seasoning: I love this seasoning, it has all the great spices together in one blend. You can make your own using my recipe here.
- Parmesan Cheese: Love this cheese with this dish. Fresh is best if you have it! Grating your own cheese makes all the difference in flavor.
- Baby Spinach: Super nutritious and adds a pop of color! You can also use kale as a substitute.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sweet and savory, these are just so good. Look for sun-dried tomatoes either in the produce section or the canned vegetable aisle!
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Truly, this dish couldn’t be easier. You are going to love that it tastes so amazing but is so simple to throw together. It’s perfect for a busy weekday, or a quiet weekend. Either way you have to try it!
- Precook Pasta: Bring a large pot to boil and then cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until it is no longer pink. Then set aside on a plate.
- Prepare Sauce: Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Whisk over medium high heat until it starts to thicken. Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and then let it simmer until the spinach starts to wilt. Then add the sausage back to the pan and add the pasta and stir until heated throughout.
Tips and Variations
Use your imagination and what you have on hand to create this amazing creamy Tuscan pasta! You’re going to love how it turns out.
- Pasta: I love using pasta that can really soak up the sauce and hold it in its crevices. For this creamy sausage pasta you can use almost any pasta you like, even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. Try cavatappi, rigatoni, conchiglie, tagliatelle, or fusilli for fun and ease.
- Al Dente: Cook your pasta al dente. This means that the pasta is tender but is still chewy and holds it shape with a bit of firmness. This will allow the pasta to absorb the sauce a bit and hold on to the flavor in every bite.
- Sausage: You can use just about any sausage you would like. I prefer to use Italian sausage, which is just sausage flavored with Italian-type spices versus regular sausage, but both will work. Italian sausage can be found in both mild and spicy, and either will taste amazing. For leaner versions try chicken or turkey Italian sausage.
- Heavy Cream: You can use half and half instead of heavy cream to also cut a few calories but your sauce won’t turn out quite as rich.
- Spinach: If you don’t have fresh spinach, frozen will work. Be sure to really squeeze out any of the extra liquid. Kale and Swiss chard can also be used.
How to Store Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Like most Italian dishes, this sausage pasta is almost better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Heat up your leftovers for a quick and satisfying lunch!
- In the Refrigerator: Keep leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In the Freezer: You can also keep this frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stove. If it needs thinning add a bit of chicken broth or water as it heats.
More Incredible Pasta Recipes
Pasta is the ideal comfort food. It’s customizable and so satisfying! It also makes the BEST leftovers and is so easy to reheat for a quick and easy lunch. Need a new way to serve up pasta tonight? Try one of these tried and true favorites for dinner that’s guaranteed to win the family over.
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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounce penne pasta uncooked
- 1 Pound Ground Sausage
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups spinach chopped
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot to boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
- In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until it is no longer pink. Set aside on a plate.
- Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Whisk over medium high heat until it starts to thicken. Add the spinach and sundried tomatoes and let it simmer until the spinach starts to wilt. Add the sausage back to the pan and add the pasta and stir until heated throughout.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very yummy dish! I ended up adding fresh minced garlic instead of the garlic powder and it turned out delish. Thanks very much!
You can never go wrong with fresh minced garlic! Thank you for the comment and review!
Second time making it, used half and half but used cornstarch as thickening agent and boy it came out just as great! Love this recipe and so easy to make. Highly recommend for high quality meal with a very cost effective price.
It sounds like your substitutions worked perfectly! Thank you for the review and for your comment, means a lot!
I didn’t have spinach or tomatoes but it was quick, easy and delicious.
If I don’t have heavy cream, what can I use in place? And what measurements?
Hi Lindsey! You can use milk and butter instead of cream! Whole milk is best, but any will work. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter . The sauce may take a little longer to thicken, but keep whisking and it will.
Alternatively you can use 2 cups of milk and slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to help it thicken. This replacement won’t be as luscious as cream because it will lack the extra fat, but it will thicken up with the cornstarch and taste delicious!
I have made this ahead of time for meal prep and it reheats well. My kids love it! Great easy recipe!
Lyanne, thank you so much for your comment and review! Means a lot to me! What a great idea to use for meal prep! I’m glad your kids like it too, winning!
We absolutely love this recipe! Super quick and easy weeknight dinner option. It’s a favorite for my 2 and 4 year old, I just swap the spinach with chopped kale!
I absolutely love this recipe! I have started making it every other week and still can’t get enough. I do use fresh garlic. I saute the garlic in the oil from the sundried tomatoes.
Loved this! Easy enough for a weeknight quick dinner and delicious enough for a Saturday night dinner party, just double the recipe.
can this be made a few hours ahead of time
Yes! You can make the sauce in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to use it. When you’re ready to eat, just cook up your pasta and add the sauce to the cooked pasta until it is all warmed through.