A Quick & Easy Dinner Recipe For The Family
This simple, satisfying pasta dish uses just a handful of everyday ingredients and is a reliable winner with families — even picky eaters. It’s ideal for busy weeknights: budget-friendly, straightforward, and ready in about 20 minutes. The recipe combines ground sausage, spinach, heavy cream, butter, parmesan, and your favorite pasta to create a creamy, comforting meal that feeds a crowd and reheats well for leftovers.
Swap ground beef for ground sausage to add instant flavor without much effort. Spicy or mild sausage both work — spicy adds a nice kick. Bite-sized pastas like penne are perfect here, but any pasta shape you have on hand will do. The spinach cooks quickly in the sauce, so you get a boost of green with no extra prep. You can also add other vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, or green beans to increase nutrition and color.
Easy Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 1 lb cooked pasta (any kind)
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, chop and brown the sausage. Add the minced garlic when the sausage is nearly cooked through. Blot excess grease with a paper towel if needed.
- Reduce heat to low, add the butter and heavy cream, and simmer for 3–4 minutes until the butter melts and the sauce is warm and slightly thickened.
- Add the spinach and cook about 2–3 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in the grated parmesan until it melts into the sauce, then add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
- If you like heat, garnish with red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
Because sausage is typically seasoned, additional salt is usually unnecessary. Adjust seasoning to taste and add pepper, herbs, or crushed red pepper if desired. This dish pairs nicely with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete family meal.
A quick and easy pasta dish made with few ingredients that the entire family will love!
Easy Creamy Garlic Penne With Sausage & Spinach
Main Course
creamy, easy dinner, family meal, main dish, pasta, quick, sausage, spinach
6
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta (any kind)
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 5 ounces spinach
- 1 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
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Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and set aside.
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In a large pan, cook and chop the sausage over medium heat (add the minced garlic when the sausage is close to being done). Use a paper towel to blot out excess grease.
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Turn the heat to low and stir in the butter and heavy whipping cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the butter melts and the sauce warms through.
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Stir in the spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
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Add the parmesan and stir until incorporated. Toss in the cooked pasta and serve right away.
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Garnish with red pepper flakes or cayenne if you want extra heat. Enjoy!
Notes
- Five ounces of fresh spinach may look like a lot at first, but it wilts down significantly once cooked.
- If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute 1–2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Serve with a simple Caesar salad or breadsticks for an easy side.
If you like this recipe, check out more easy family dinner ideas to keep weeknights simple and delicious.
