One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne
A hearty one-pot pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender spinach, and a lightly seasoned tomato cream sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs casings removed Italian sausage, penne pasta, roughly chopped fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
- 10 oz penne pasta
- 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Step 4: Add 10 oz penne pasta to the skillet, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and stir in 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook uncovered for 3 more minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Serve hot garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
