Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine pasta
- 11 ounces Italian sausage
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 0.25 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1.5 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 small handful fresh basil, torn or chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once boiling, add the fettuccine and cook according to the package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, remove the Italian sausage from its casing and crumble the meat into a skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is nicely browned.
- Once browned, remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside. If there is excess fat in the pan, carefully discard most of it, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, flour, and lemon juice. Stir well, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream to the skillet. Allow the mixture to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and let it simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the fresh basil and spinach, cooking for about 1 minute until the spinach wilts. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Finally, add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sauce until well coated. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream. Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.