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Creamy Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan pasta featuring white beans, spicy sausage, and fresh spinach, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 4 cups baby spinach (about 4 ounces)
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts). Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 ounces Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed, but keep some for flavor.
  3. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the browned sausage. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine half of the drained white beans (about 7.5 ounces) with 1 cup chicken broth. Blend until smooth and creamy. Carefully pour this mixture into the skillet with sausage and garlic. Stir to combine.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Add the drained pasta and remaining white beans to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce. Add 4 cups fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Watch the heat during sauce simmer to prevent cream from separating. Do not overcook spinach to keep it vibrant and tender. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Browning sausage well adds flavor. Puree half the beans for creamy texture; mash if no blender is available. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, omit sausage and add mushrooms or eggplant.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan pasta, creamy pasta, white bean pasta, sausage pasta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

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