Description
Creamy sausage and peppers pasta delivers Italian-inspired comfort in one skillet. Rich Italian sausage mingles with bell peppers and a luxurious cream sauce, coating perfectly al dente pasta for a satisfying meal that welcomes you to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta (bucatini recommended)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy/whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, following the package instructions precisely.
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the sausage, meticulously breaking it into crumbly pieces during the 8-10 minute cooking process. Transfer the cooked meat to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Utilizing the same skillet, introduce olive oil, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers. Sauté until the onions develop a delicate golden hue and the peppers become tender, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and incorporate butter and minced garlic. Once the butter melts completely, dust the mixture with flour and cook for roughly one minute, stirring continuously to prevent any lumping.
- Gradually pour in the cream and Dijon mustard, whisking thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce. Allow the mixture to thicken for about a minute, developing a rich, velvety consistency.
- Reintroduce the browned sausage and fresh spinach to the skillet, gently stirring until the spinach leaves completely wilt and incorporate into the sauce.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve a small amount of starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet, tossing vigorously to ensure each strand is generously coated with the creamy sauce.
- Plate the pasta immediately, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finish by generously sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
Notes
- Boost pasta water’s starchy magic by saving a splash before draining, helping sauce stick perfectly to noodles.
- Brown sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and create delicious caramelized texture throughout the dish.
- Use one skillet for multiple cooking steps, minimizing cleanup and allowing ingredients to build layered, complex tastes.
- Wilting spinach directly in the sauce preserves nutrients and adds vibrant green color to the creamy, comforting meal.
- Medium-high heat ensures proper sausage rendering and vegetable caramelization without burning delicate ingredients.
- Dijon mustard provides unexpected tangy depth, elevating the classic cream sauce with subtle sophisticated complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg