Looking for a Family Dinner Idea that’s comforting, easy enough for a weeknight, and still impressive enough to serve guests?
This One-Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta with Spinach is the answer!
It combines hearty Italian sausage, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan—ready in under 30 minutes!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
This recipe is quick, flavorful, and made in one pan for easy cleanup. The sausage brings rich, hearty flavor, while the fresh spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition.
Everything is coated in a creamy, comforting sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes—making this the perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste or convenience.
Looking for more Pasta Recipes to add to your weekly meal plan? Try my Monterey Chicken Pasta, Cheesy Chili Pasta Casserole, and even my copycat Panera Mac and Cheese. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
- One-Pot Pasta Tips for Dinner Success
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Recipe FAQ's
- How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
- Looking for more Italian Recipes?
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Comments
Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
What a GREAT recipe! My family was so excited that they were getting leftovers tomorrow! Thank you for the healthy recipe!
- Laura
One-Pot Pasta Tips for Dinner Success
Use the Right Pot: A large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven works best—it gives ingredients space to cook evenly and helps prevent sticking.
Brown the Meat First: Always cook the sausage (or any protein) before adding liquids or pasta—this builds flavor and ensures the meat is properly browned.
Add Greens Last: If you’re using spinach or kale, stir them in at the very end. They wilt quickly and don’t need much time to cook.
Pasta Tips
Reserve Pasta Water: Scoop out 2–3 cups of pasta water before draining. It’s starchy and perfect for adjusting the sauce’s thickness or helping it cling to the pasta.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Pasta continues to cook slightly after you remove it from the heat. Cook it just to al dente to avoid mushiness.
Seasoning Tips
Season as You Go: Layer flavor by seasoning the sausage, sauce, and pasta water lightly throughout the cooking process, then adjust at the end.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly—fresh Parmesan or mozzarella gives your dish a richer, creamier texture.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
- Toss in red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for spice lovers.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
- Use ground turkey, chicken, or beef for a leaner option.
- Use frozen spinach (thawed and drained well) if fresh isn’t available.
- Any short pasta like rigatoni, rotini, or shells will work.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed—just adjust cooking time slightly.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Boil the pasta in salted water according the package instructions. Reserve 2-3 cups of the pasta water before draining.
Step 2: While the pasta is boiling, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Add the minced garlic to the sausage and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Mix in the heavy cream. Add the reserved pasta water until your desired sauce consistency is reached.
Step 6: Add the Parmesan cheese, and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened.
Step 7: Add the sauce to the drained pasta.
Step 8: Then add the chopped baby spinach into the pasta. Toss until the pasta is fully coated in sauce.
Step 9: Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
❤️Tap the heart icon in the lower right corner to add the recipe to your recipe box for easy access anytime.
If you made it, leaving a star rating or quick review is always appreciated and helps other readers too.
Want to save this printed recipe? The Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder helps you keep recipes organized in one easy place.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
Want to make this recipe even better? Don’t miss my favorite tips below for boosting flavor, perfecting texture, and saving time in the kitchen!
✔️ DO brown the sausage well before adding other ingredients—it builds flavor and makes the dish taste richer.
❌ DO NOT overcook the pasta. It will keep cooking after you turn off the heat, so stop at al dente to avoid mushy noodles.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Yes! Turkey or chicken sausage work great in this recipe. They’re leaner options but still add plenty of flavor—just make sure to brown them well to build that rich, savory base.
Yes! Mushrooms, bell peppers, or other veggies are great additions. Just cook them with the sausage before adding the rest of the ingredients.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Refrigerate: Let the pasta cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Note: the cream sauce may slightly change texture when thawed, but it will still taste great.
Thaw and Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of reserved pasta water, milk, or cream to bring back the creamy texture. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Looking for more Italian Recipes?
Try my recipe for Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables and Sausage and Peppers Stromboli.
📖 Recipe Card
One-Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta with Spinach
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry penne pasta
- 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes in juice, drained
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 cups reserved pasta water
- 2 cups coarsely chopped baby spinach
Method
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it is al dente. Reserve 2 to 3 cups of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage, crumbling it as it cooks.
- Add the garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook until it is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and spinach to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper (if desired) before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use a large, heavy pot to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
- Brown the sausage first to build flavor, and reserve 2–3 cups of pasta water to adjust the sauce.
- Cook pasta just to al dente, then stir in spinach at the end so it wilts perfectly.
- Season in layers as you go, and use freshly grated cheese for the creamiest texture.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
Laura says
What a GREAT recipe! My family was so excited that they were getting leftovers tomorrow! Thank you for the healthy recipe!
Lois says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad your family loved it—and how great that there were leftovers to enjoy again! Thanks for trying the recipe and taking the time to leave such a kind comment!