Creamy Sausage Pasta with Spinach (Easy 30-Minute Dinner)
This is an easy weeknight dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes, this Creamy Sausage Pasta with Spinach is savory and packed with flavor.
The sauce is rich and creamy and the fresh spinach blends in so well that kids won’t even notice they’re eating a vegetable.
If you are looking for an easy sausage pasta recipe, this recipe is so simple to make. Sausage adds instant flavor to pasta dishes, whether you use smoked sausage, Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or even spicy sausage. Paired with a creamy tomato sauce and fresh spinach, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
This recipe is made with simple ingredients, and flexible for adding your own twist to.
- Onion & Garlic – always the base for a good sauce, adding savory flavour.
- Broth – chicken or beef broth both works well in this recipe. It helps to deglaze the pan.
- Diced Tomatoes – Undrained. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use crushed tomatoes instead.
- Heavy cream – add rich, creamy flavour to this sauce and help to thicken it.
- Fresh spinach -hearty greens such as kale, beet greens or collard greens are good choices
- Parmesan Cheese – Use freshly grated as it melts better and tastes superior.
- Pasta – use whatever pasta you have on hand, really any kind will do. Some of my favourite choices are Mafalda (ribbon pasta), penne, rotini, rigatoni as the hold onto the creamy sauce.
Types of Sausage You Can Use in Sausage Pasta
I use all-beef smoked sausage which gives great flavor, but any sausage works.
- Kielbasa
- Italian Sausage, mild, hot or sweet
- Chicken or Turkey Sausage for a lighter, lean alternative.
- Chorizo or Andouille for a spicy kick.
Yes. You can use mild or hot Italian sausage.
Yes, but thaw and squeeze out excess moisture first to prevent watering down the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Pasta always pairs perfectly with garlic bread or a crusty roll.
Simple salad such as Avocado Citrus Salad or Watermelon Mint Salad
30 minute Meals your family will love
Great family dinner recipes that are quick and easy to make.
Creamy Sausage Pasta with Spinach
Ingredients
- 14 oz smoked sausage sliced into pieces
- 3/4 cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounce size
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parmesan grated
- 10 oz pasta
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until seared and done. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In same skillet, add the chopped onions. Cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. If the pan seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add the minced garlic and saute 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in chicken broth, deglazing the pan, scraping those delicious bits stuck to the pan.
- Add the diced tomatoes with juice and heavy cream.
- Return the sausage to the skillet and combine.
- Season with salt and pepper. (I didn't need to use any salt as the sausage was salty enough).
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add spinach and stir until wilted, this will only take a few minutes.
- Serve the sauce over warm pasta, topping with extra Parmesan if desired.
I made this with sour cream and cherry tomatoes (plus tomato sauce). It was delicious.
Easy and fairly fast. Flavors are dictated by the type of sausage used. I added a smidge of kick with red pepper flakes. Would simmer it longer for a thicker sauce. A bit too runny/ soupy. But easily adjustable.
A nice option to have for sausage.
I’m currently making this and I used a can of chicken broth instead of 1 cup oops hope it still turns out well
Hi Cree, I hope the recipe turned out for you!
This is incredibly delicious! I used ground sausage and Asiago cheese instead…also added my noodles right to the dish. Absolutely loved it and will certainly be making this again!
Briana, ground sausage and Asiago cheese would be very tasty. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Can I use whole milk instead of heavy cream? I don’t have any heavy cream
Yes whole milk will work but you may have to thicken sauce a bit with a flour or cornstarch slurry.
Spinach Sausage Pasta
My family loves this dish. When I made it, it didn’t have an orange color like your picture. Did I do something wrong?
Hi Cathy, the colouring could vary depending on the tomatoes, the sausage or even the photo and how it displays on your computer. As long as it tasted good that’s all that really counts. (if I had to guess I would think different varieties of tomatoes would be most likely cause)
I seriosuly need to make this. And not just need to make it, like how people say it but don’t mean it . But I really do mean it!!
thanks Nicole, hope you enjoy the recipe.
How about chorizo? I know it’s not very lean…
I think chorizo would taste great, some nice spicy flavour.