Description
A rich and indulgent pasta dish made with penne tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce, savory ground sausage, and tender spinach. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground beef sausage
3 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the penne pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked and crispy on the edges. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen the flavorful bits. Simmer gently.
5. Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and creamy.
6. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
7. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and add the drained pasta. Toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce.
8. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
9. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheeses for a smoother sauce and better flavor.
To lighten the dish, swap heavy cream with half-and-half and use turkey sausage.
If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, sausage penne, garlic butter pasta