Name: Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground Italian sausage; 1 lb. penne pasta; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)

If you’re craving a comforting meal that’s quick, indulgent, and packed with flavor, this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe is just what you need. It’s a one-pan wonder that brings together savory sausage, fresh spinach, and a luscious, cheesy sauce that clings beautifully to every bite of pasta. Ready to make your weeknight dinners a bit more special? Let’s dive in!

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - A large silver pan filled with creamy pasta made of light yellow penne noodles mixed evenly with small pieces of cooked ground meat and green spinach leaves, all coated in a smooth cream sauce. The dish is sprinkled with small green herb bits and cracks of black pepper. A wooden spoon rests on the pasta, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface next to a striped cloth and a small white bowl with colored peppercorns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This creamy Italian sausage pasta with spinach is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together so quickly—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests. I remember the first time I tried it, I was amazed at how such simple ingredients could taste this rich and satisfying.

Fast & Easy: From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes—ideal when you want dinner on the table without fuss.
Flavor Packed: The combination of savory Italian sausage and freshly grated Parmesan cheese creates a sauce that’s creamy and deeply satisfying.
Nutritious Boost: Adding baby spinach not only brightens the dish but sneaks in some healthy greens without overpowering the flavors.
Versatile & Customizable: Whether you want it spicier, richer, or with different veggies, this recipe easily adapts to your preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, making sure the final dish is balanced and delicious. Here’s a little insight into why these choices come together so well—and some tips on what to look for when you shop.

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - Flat lay of fresh Italian ground sausage with a rich marbled texture, uncooked penne pasta in a pale golden hue, a small mound of bright green baby spinach leaves with delicate veins, a bunch of plump garlic cloves with papery white skins, half a yellow onion finely minced showing its pale yellow layers, a generous pile of grated Parmesan cheese in fine snowy white flakes, and a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs in mixed green and brown tones, all carefully spread out and naturally overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ground Italian Sausage: Choose mild or spicy based on your taste, but make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor and texture. The sausage’s fat helps create that rich sauce base.
Penne Pasta: This shape holds onto the creamy sauce perfectly. You can substitute with rigatoni or rigatoni if you want a similar effect.
Butter: Adds richness and helps soften the onions for a more layered flavor.
Yellow Onion: Mellow sweetness from sautéed onions balances the savory sausage and cheese.
Garlic: A must for that Italian kick—fresh minced garlic brings warmth and depth.
Heavy Cream: Creates the silky texture of the sauce—full fat gives it luxurious mouthfeel.
Chicken Broth or Dry White Wine: I love using wine for extra flavor, but broth works well if you prefer no alcohol.
Italian Seasoning: A simple blend that ties all the flavors into the Italian essence we’re aiming for.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the sauce for a nutty, salty boost—skip the pre-grated stuff for best results.
Baby Spinach: Adds freshness and color, wilting gently so it melds into the creamy sauce without overpowering it.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this creamy Italian sausage pasta with spinach recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak things depending on what’s in my fridge—or how I’m feeling that day. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: Whenever I’m craving a little extra heat, I sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes while browning the sausage. It adds a perfect spicy kick without overwhelming the creamy sauce.
Vegetarian Swap: I’ve tried swapping sausage with plant-based Italian sausage for a meat-free version, and honestly, it worked surprisingly well.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or peas for a veggie-packed upgrade.
Cheese Boost: Adding extra Parmesan or even a bit of Pecorino Romano really ups the richness and depth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly

I always start by boiling my penne pasta in generously salted water. Salt is like seasoning for your pasta, so don’t skip it! Cook it just until al dente—this means it should still have a tiny bite because the pasta will keep cooking a little when mixed with the sauce later. Drain and set it aside while you prepare the rest.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage Right

Next, I heat a large skillet over medium and add the ground Italian sausage. Breaking it up as it cooks ensures every bite is evenly savory. Once it’s nicely browned—usually about 5 minutes—I remove it from the pan and drain any excess grease. This step is key because too much grease can make the dish heavy and oily.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pan, I melt butter and add minced onion, cooking until it softens and becomes translucent. Then I add garlic for about 30 seconds—trust me, garlic burns fast, so don’t walk away! This combo builds the flavorful foundation for the creamy sauce.

Step 4: Deglaze for Extra Flavor

Here’s a step I never skip: deglazing the pan with white wine (or broth if you prefer). This scrapes up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan, mixing them back into the sauce. It’s like magic for flavor depth. Let it simmer for a minute so the alcohol cooks off if you’re using wine.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream along with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes silky and glossy. Let it simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon—that’s your cue that it’s ready!

Step 6: Add Fresh Spinach and Combine

Last but not least, toss in the baby spinach. Stir it gently until it wilts, which only takes a minute or two. Then, add your cooked penne and the sausage back into the sauce, mixing everything so every piece is coated with that creamy goodness. And voilà, your dinner’s ready!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that turn this simple Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe from good to outstanding. These little tweaks make a huge difference, so give them a try!

Don’t Skip Deglazing: Scraping those browned bits with wine or broth adds an umami-rich foundation that’s easy to miss if you forget this step.
Use Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting—freshly grated cheese makes your sauce silky.
Add Spinach Last: Toss it in at the end so it wilts gently without losing its vibrant green color and fresh flavor.
Avoid Overcooking Pasta: Pasta keeps cooking when mixed with hot sauce, so cooking slightly less than al dente prevents mushy noodles.

How to Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of finishing this pasta with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I add a few red pepper flakes if we want a little fire, or just fresh chopped parsley or basil for a bright herbaceous note that lifts the creamy heaviness.

Side Dishes

This dish is naturally rich, so I like pairing it with crunchy garlic bread or a simple mixed green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance everything out. Roasted veggies, like asparagus or bell peppers, are also a great choice if you want extra color on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this creamy Italian sausage pasta in individual mini cast iron skillets or shallow bowls so everyone gets their own bubbling hot portion fresh from the oven. Adding a drizzle of good olive oil and tiny basil leaves on top really makes it look like restaurant-quality!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Since the spinach softens over time, I recommend reheating gently to avoid a mushy texture—more on that below.

Freezing

I rarely freeze this pasta because the cream sauce can separate when thawed, but if you do, freeze immediately after cooking and reheat slowly, adding a splash of broth or cream to bring it back together.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I warm them on low heat in a skillet, stirring frequently and adding a little chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce’s creaminess without breaking it. Microwaving works too but be careful not to overheat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this pasta recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe dairy-free, swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream alternative, and use a dairy-free cheese substitute or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Penne pasta is perfect because its shape holds the creamy sauce beautifully, but you can also use rigatoni, farfalle, or even fusilli for added texture and sauce cling.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can cook the sausage and sauce ahead and store them separately from the pasta. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently, toss with freshly cooked or reheated pasta and spinach, and serve immediately for best texture.

How spicy is this recipe by default?

This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach Recipe is moderately flavored; it’s not spicy unless you choose spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes. Feel free to adjust the heat to your liking!

Final Thoughts

This creamy Italian sausage pasta with spinach recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something cozy yet impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s creamy, comforting, and perfectly balanced by fresh greens. I hope you love making it in your kitchen as much as I do in mine—grab the ingredients, follow along, and enjoy a delicious meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.