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 Stuffed Shells
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Skillet Lasagna