Description
Our Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne with Sausage and Spinach marries comfort and elegance perfectly. It invites everyone to relish hearty, delicious pasta that’s neither time-consuming nor overly complex.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- ½ lb ground beef
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a gentle boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, as per package guidelines. Drain thoroughly, making sure to save half a cup of the pasta water for future use.
- Warm up some olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Introduce the Italian sausage and ground beef, allowing them to cook until they develop a gorgeous brown and slightly crispy exterior. Once done, remove the meats from the skillet.
- Lower the skillet’s heat, and in the same pan, melt the butter gently. Add the minced garlic, sautéing it for 1 to 2 minutes until it turns a golden hue.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring it vigorously. Let it simmer for around 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate the mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until these cheeses meld into the sauce.
- Fold in the fresh spinach, allowing it just 1 to 2 minutes to wilt. Use reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick.
- Return the cooked sausage and beef to the skillet, alongside the cooked penne. Toss everything to ensure the sauce coats every bite.
- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- If preferred, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish, add more cheese, and broil until golden and bubbly.
Notes
Ensure the meat is well-browned to maximize flavor. Consistently stirring prevents garlic from burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Protein: 20 g