One-Pot Italian Sausage and Spinach Penne Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A hearty and flavorful pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage, tender spinach, and al dente penne in a savory tomato cream sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, casings removed, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and stir in 4 cups fresh spinach leaves and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted and sauce slightly thickens.
5. Step 5: Turn off heat and mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.