Description
This Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish that combines savory sausage, tender pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe offers a satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or any time you crave a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 12 oz sausage (Italian, smoked, or your favorite)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to warm them through, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well while scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Add the uncooked elbow macaroni or short pasta directly into the skillet. Stir to combine, then simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet along with the fresh spinach, grated parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if desired for an added cheesy touch.
Notes
- You can use any type of sausage you prefer, such as Italian, smoked, or spicy for varied flavor.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers can be a good substitute.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but sauce may be less rich.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level or omit them for a milder dish.
- This recipe works best cooked on the stovetop using one large skillet or sauté pan.
