One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A hearty Italian-inspired casserole with savory sausage, tender spinach, and creamy cheese baked to bubbly perfection. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Italian sausage (mild or spicy), uncooked penne pasta, fresh spinach leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, casings removed Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 12 oz uncooked penne pasta
• 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves
• 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 12 oz uncooked penne pasta, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is almost tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and 1 cup ricotta cheese until spinach wilts and mixture is creamy.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
6. Step 6: Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots.
7. Step 7: Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow casserole to set.