Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 1 pint heavy cream
- Garlic (to taste)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 box farfalle pasta
- 1 bag of baby spinach
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 5 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon flour
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Optional:
- Garlic breadsticks, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and cooked through. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Season the sausage with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.
- Prepare the Sauce: Once the sausage is cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic (use as much as you like) to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the sausage and garlic, then stir to combine. Cook for another minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Add the Liquid Ingredients: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Allow the mixture to simmer for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened. Then, pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, cook the farfalle pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine the Ingredients: Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked farfalle pasta to the skillet with the sausage and sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes: Add the baby spinach and chopped sundried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts and the sundried tomatoes are warmed through.
- Finish with Parmesan: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts into the sauce and coats the pasta evenly. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the creamy sausage farfalle immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
- Optional: Serve with Garlic Breadsticks: Accompany the dish with garlic breadsticks for a delicious and comforting meal.
Enjoy your Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes, a guaranteed mom win for any occasion! 🤤🍝
Here are some helpful tips to make your Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes even more delightful:
- Use High-Quality Sausage: Opt for high-quality ground sausage with robust flavors to elevate the dish. Italian sausage or spicy sausage varieties can add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
- Enhance the Creaminess: For an even creamier sauce, consider adding a bit of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese along with the heavy cream. These creamy additions will give the sauce a luxurious texture and rich flavor.
- Add Aromatics: Boost the flavor of the dish by sautéing aromatic vegetables such as onions and bell peppers along with the sausage. This adds a savory depth and sweetness to the sauce.
- Infuse Flavor with Herbs: Incorporate fresh or dried herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano to enhance the flavor of the sauce. Add them during the cooking process or sprinkle them on top just before serving for a burst of freshness.
- Toast the Sundried Tomatoes: For an intensified flavor, lightly toast the sundried tomatoes in a dry skillet before adding them to the dish. This helps release their natural oils and enhances their sweetness.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh from a block rather than using pre-grated cheese for the best flavor and texture. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce and adds a richer taste.
- Add a Touch of Heat: For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of heat to give the dish an extra dimension of flavor.
- Experiment with Pasta Shapes: While farfalle pasta works wonderfully in this dish, feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Different shapes can hold the sauce in unique ways, providing a different eating experience.
- Finish with a Drizzle of Olive Oil: Just before serving, drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil over the creamy sausage farfalle. This adds a silky richness and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over the finished dish for a vibrant pop of color and freshness. The herbs add a bright contrast to the creamy sauce and complement the savory flavors.
By incorporating these tips, you can take your Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes to the next level and create a truly delightful and memorable meal!
Achieving the perfect Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes involves attention to detail and a few secrets to elevate the dish. Here are some secrets to help you achieve perfection:
- Season the Sausage Well: Season the ground sausage generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or herbs before cooking. This ensures that the sausage is flavorful and adds depth to the dish.
- Caramelize the Sausage: Cook the ground sausage until it develops a golden-brown crust. This caramelization adds rich flavor to the dish and enhances the overall depth of taste.
- Sauté the Garlic Just Right: Be mindful not to burn the garlic when sautéing it with the sausage. Cook it just until fragrant, taking care not to let it brown too much, as burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish.
- Deglaze the Pan: After cooking the sausage and garlic, deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as they contain concentrated flavor that will enrich the sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce Properly: Use a combination of flour and heavy cream to thicken the sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the cooked sausage and garlic, then cook it briefly to remove the raw flour taste before adding the chicken broth and heavy cream. This helps create a luscious, creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
- Control the Heat: Adjust the heat carefully while simmering the sauce to prevent it from boiling too vigorously. A gentle simmer allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to reduce to the desired consistency without becoming too thick or thin.
- Add the Parmesan Cheese Gradually: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce gradually, stirring constantly until it melts and incorporates smoothly. This prevents clumping and ensures a velvety texture throughout the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the farfalle pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot sauce. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and detract from the overall texture of the dish.
- Wilt the Spinach Just Enough: Add the baby spinach to the sauce at the end and stir gently until it wilts. Be careful not to overcook the spinach, as it only needs a brief time in the hot sauce to soften and retain its vibrant color and fresh flavor.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste and adjust the seasoning of the dish before serving. Add salt, pepper, or any additional herbs or spices to balance the flavors and ensure that every bite is perfectly seasoned.
By following these secrets, you’ll be able to create the perfect Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes that is bursting with flavor and sure to impress!
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers related to Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes:
- Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, you can use a different type of pasta if you prefer. While farfalle works well with this dish due to its shape and ability to hold the sauce, you can also use other shapes such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
- Can I use turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork sausage? Yes, you can substitute turkey or chicken sausage for pork sausage if you prefer a lighter option. Just ensure that the sausage is well-seasoned to maintain the flavor of the dish.
- Can I make this dish vegetarian? Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of this dish by omitting the sausage or replacing it with plant-based sausage crumbles or chopped mushrooms. You can also increase the amount of spinach and sundried tomatoes for added flavor and texture.
- How can I make this dish healthier? To make this dish healthier, you can use whole wheat or multigrain pasta instead of regular farfalle. You can also reduce the amount of heavy cream and cheese used in the sauce, or substitute with lighter alternatives such as Greek yogurt or low-fat milk.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the sauce and pasta ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce on the stove and toss it with freshly cooked pasta. Add the spinach and sundried tomatoes just before serving for optimal freshness.
- How do I store leftovers? Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the desired portion in a saucepan or microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce.
- Can I freeze this dish? While it’s best to consume this dish fresh, you can freeze leftovers for future use. Store the cooled pasta and sauce in separate freezer-safe containers, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- What can I serve as a side dish with Creamy Sausage Farfalle? Garlic breadsticks, a side salad, or roasted vegetables make excellent accompaniments to this dish. You can also serve it with a crusty baguette or garlic knots for dipping into the creamy sauce.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions related to Creamy Sausage Farfalle with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes, along with their answers to help you enjoy this delicious and comforting meal with confidence.