Description
Creamy chicken sausage pasta with spinach is a delightful dish that perfectly marries flavors and textures, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or cozy nights in. This recipe features spicy chicken sausage, fresh spinach, and juicy tomatoes enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s not only quick to prepare but also customizable to suit your taste. With wholesome ingredients and a satisfying blend of flavors, this pasta dish is bound to impress everyone at your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 1/2 cups medium shell pasta (dried)
- 8 oz. fresh chicken sausage
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 2 wedges fresh lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Quarter the cherry tomatoes and chop the bell pepper and onion.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook until softened (7–8 minutes).
- Cook the pasta: In a separate pot, boil salted water and cook medium shells until al dente (about one minute less than package instructions).
- Add chicken sausage: Incorporate the chicken sausage and minced garlic into the vegetable mixture; cook while breaking up the sausage for about 5–6 minutes.
- Incorporate spinach: Stir in fresh baby spinach until wilted.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked pasta into the skillet. Mix well to coat all shells in sauce.
- Finish with cheese and lemon: Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water for desired creaminess; season as necessary and finish with lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg