Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this Saucy Sausage and Lemon Pasta. This Italian-inspired dish combines zesty lemon, savory sausage, and fresh spinach in a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta. It’s a comforting yet vibrant meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces pasta of choice (rigatoni or penne work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot) casings removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve pasta water and drain.
- Sauté Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook sausage until browned. Add garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, simmer. Add lemon zest, juice, and Parmesan. Stir in spinach.
- Combine and Serve: Toss in pasta, adding reserved water. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil or parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Enhance the lemon flavor by adding extra zest before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 2 cups
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
