Ingredients
– 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine works great)
– 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your preference)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 small onion, diced
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups fresh spinach
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
– Fresh basil (for garnish)
Equipment Needed
– Large pot for boiling pasta
– Skillet or frying pan
– Wooden spoon or spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Colander for draining pasta
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This is important; you want your pasta to have a little bite to it since it will continue to cook in the sauce later. While the pasta is cooking, I heat a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once it’s hot, I add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces. I cook this until it’s nicely browned and the flavors are mingling, which takes about 5-7 minutes. The aroma is just divine! (See the next page below to continue steps…)