Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

from thecookingjar.com
30 min
4 servings

Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is a comforting mix of pasta, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach smothered in a rich cream sauce.

Ingredients

  • 16 oz.rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb.ground italian sausage, mild, sweet, or hot
  • 2 tablespoonsbutter
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • ½ cupjulienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 4 clovesgarlic, minced
  • ½ cupdry white wine/chicken broth
  • 2 cupsheavy whipping cream
  • ½ cupparmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3 oz.fresh baby spinach, about 3 cups tightly packed
  • 1 teaspoonitalian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoonpaprika
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh parsley/basil to garnish, chopped (optional)

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook the pasta in a pot of salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse and set aside.

  2. 2

    Over medium heat, brown the sausage in a large skillet. Break up any clumps and brown until slightly golden around the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

  3. 3

    Melt butter, add in olive oil and saute sun-dried tomatoes for about 1 minute (see notes).

  4. 4

    Toss in garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  5. 5

    Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in white wine or chicken broth and scrape off any stuck-on browned bits from the pan.

  6. 6

    Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Add Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.

  7. 7

    Season with Italian seasoning, paprika and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

  8. 8

    Add baby spinach and stir until the spinach wilts into the sauce.

  9. 9

    Add cooked sausage and pasta and toss to fully coat in the sauce.

  10. 10

    Sprinkle with fresh parsley, basil, or extra Parmesan cheese and dish and serve hot.

  11. 11

    Enjoy!