Description

A creamy, flavorful pasta dish made with Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, greens, and Parmesan in a rich sauce—perfect for a quick yet indulgent weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1½ cups chicken broth (or dry white wine)

1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced

4 cups chopped kale or spinach

¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving 1–2 cups pasta water. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown sausage, breaking it up, until golden. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
Add butter, then stir in flour to form a light roux. Cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in chicken broth (or wine), followed by heavy cream. Simmer gently until slightly thickened.
Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, greens, Parmesan, and lemon juice (if using). Cook until greens wilt and sauce thickens, adding pasta water as needed.
Return sausage and pasta to skillet. Toss well, adding more pasta water for a silky sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Swap sausage for chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter version.
Use half-and-half for a less rich sauce.
Experiment with different greens or pasta shapes.
Add paprika or Dijon mustard for extra flavor depth.
For make-ahead, store sauce and pasta separately, then combine before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 80mg