Description
This creamy sausage and peppers pasta recipe combines tender Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and spinach in a rich, flavorful cream sauce, all tossed with al dente pasta. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s both hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (such as bucatini, penne, or rigatoni)
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Sausage and Sauté Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside. Add olive oil to the same skillet, then sauté the chopped onion and both bell peppers until they are softened and lightly browned.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the garlic is fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add the fresh baby spinach. Toss everything together. Add a small splash of hot pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Then, add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing until the spinach is wilted and the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy sausage and peppers pasta immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired for an extra savory touch.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you prefer a bit of heat in the dish.
- Adding a splash of pasta water helps thin the sauce and allows it to cling better to the pasta.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese adds a nice depth of flavor but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
