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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is pretty much a one-pot wonder that you’ll want to cook over and over again! Perfect for a busy night, this is a hearty, comforting dish that will truly satisfy.
Tuscan recipes are so divine! I love the flavor combination of sun dried tomatoes, cheese and cream! These reader-favorite Tuscan recipes are the perfect example: try creamy Tuscan scallops, shrimp or chicken!
Italian sausage pasta
This is a super easy pasta recipe that tastes like a slave all day. This Tuscan dish features tender pasta, savory sausages, sun-dried tomatoes and savory spinach, all topped with a creamy, decadent sauce. It’s incredibly delicious and it’s so quick and easy! You can even claim it’s done in one pan, especially if you’ve ever had pre-cooked pasta. This creamy sausage pasta is perfect when it comes to wanting something full of flavor and comforting. It is sure to become a new family favourite!
You’ll feel like you’re dining at a fancy Italian restaurant or having an intimate dinner for two in the comfort of your own home. Pair it with breadsticks, roasted vegetables and a delicious chocolate dessert and you have fine dining perfect for busy weekdays. Whether it’s your first time with Tuscan sauce or not, you have to try it tonight! You’ll love how sausage and sun-dried tomatoes come together in this sauce. It’s heavenly.
What is Tuscan cuisine?
Tuscan cuisine is based on the Italian idea of bad cooking or “mediocre cuisine”. It’s a kitchen concept that started very literally. This means simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be prepared in large quantities. For example, this recipe can be doubled very easily, just like this Tuscan pasta salad or this vegetable and chicken stew. These are hearty dishes that taste amazing without super expensive ingredients!
Tuscan cuisine does not use complicated seasonings or elaborate ingredients. This is because they focus on using fresh, high quality ingredients that bring out amazing flavors without the extras. It’s simply delicious!
Ingredients for Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Creating this creamy dish is quick and easy and doesn’t require a bunch of crazy ingredients. Choose your favorite type of meat! Ground sausage, pork, chicken, and turkey all work so well. You can also control the spice level depending on the type of sausage you get. If you like it hot, feel free to add red pepper flakes as a garnish too!
- Penne with pasta: I love penne because they soak up the delicious sauce, but you can use your favorite pasta instead.
- Ground sausage: Choose your favorite type – mild or spicy, pork or chicken!
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce so nice and creamy!
- Chicken broth: Adds richness and flavor.
- Garlic powder: Garlic adds great flavor to this Tuscan pasta.
- Italian seasoning: I love this seasoning, it has all the great spices together in one blend. You can make your own using my recipe here.
- Parmesan cheese: I love this cheese with this dish. Fresh is better if you have it! Grating your own cheese makes all the difference in flavor.
- Babe Spinach: Super nutritious and adds a pop of color! You can also use kale as a substitute.
- Dried tomatoes: Sweet and salty, it’s so good. Look for sun-dried tomatoes in the produce section or in the canned vegetable aisle!
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Really, this dish couldn’t be easier. You will love its incredible taste yet so simple to assemble. It’s perfect for a busy weekday or a quiet weekend. Either way, you have to try it!
- Pre-cooked pasta: Bring a large saucepan to a boil, then cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until no longer pink. Then set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the sauce: Add heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and Parmesan. Whisk over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken. Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, then simmer until spinach begins to soften. Then return the sausage to the pan and add the pasta and stir until heated through.
Tips and variations
Use your imagination and what you have on hand to create this amazing creamy Tuscan pasta! You will love the result.
- Pasta: I love using pasta that can really soak up the sauce and hold it in its crevices. For this creamy sausage pasta, you can use almost any pasta you like, even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. Try cavatappi, rigatoni, conchiglie, tagliatelle or fusilli for fun and ease.
- Al dente : Cook your pasta al dente. This means that the pasta is tender but still chewy and holds its shape with a bit of firmness. This will allow the pasta to absorb the sauce a bit and retain the flavor with each bite.
- Sausage: You can use just about any sausage you want. I prefer to use Italian sausage, which is just sausage flavored with Italian-type spices over regular sausage, but either will work. Italian sausage can be found both mild and spicy, and either will taste amazing. For leaner versions, try chicken or turkey Italian sausages.
- Heavy cream: You can use half and half instead of heavy cream to cut down on some calories as well, but your sauce won’t be as rich.
- Spinach: If you don’t have fresh spinach, frozen will do. Be sure to squeeze out all the extra liquid. Kale and Swiss chard can also be used.
How to Store Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Like most Italian dishes, this sausage pasta is almost best the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Reheat your leftovers for a quick and satisfying lunch!
- In the refrigerator: Store leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: You can also store it frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stove. If it needs to be thinned, add a little chicken broth or water as it heats.
- Bring a large saucepan to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until no longer pink. Reserve on a plate.
Add heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and Parmesan. Whisk over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken. Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and simmer until spinach begins to soften. Return the sausage to the skillet and add the pasta and stir until heated through.
Updated March 10, 2023
Serves: 6
calories778calories (39%)Carbohydrates37g (12%)Protein25g (50%)Fat59g (91%)Saturated fat28g (140%)trans fat1gCholesterol174mg (58%)Sodium875mg (36%)Potassium687mg (20%)Fiber3g (12%)Sugar5g (6%)Vitamin A1439UI (29%)Vitamin C6mg (7%)Calcium281mg (28%)Iron3mg (17%)
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and serving sizes per household.
