Creamy tomato & turkey sausage pasta is a warm, comforting, and delicious dinner. This wonderful dish has a creamy sauce with lots of parmesan, plus fresh tomatoes and Italian herbs.
I wanted an easy and delicious dinner a couple of weeks ago. There are times you just want comfort food and for me, that is pasta. I like it all, tomato-based dishes like turkey bolognese and luscious creamy pasta like chicken with sun-dried tomatoes. This dish has a little of both with fresh tomatoes and a creamy sauce thanks to the half & half and parmesan cheese.
Elements
Pasta: I have used rotini and penne pasta. Farfalle or Fusilli would also be a good choice. One cup is the proper portion for the two of us.
Olive Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables.
Onion & Mushrooms: Onions and mushrooms are always part of my homemade marinara sauce. I love them with tomatoes.
Garlic: Adds great flavor. Garlic is so delicious with tomatoes.
Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a touch of heat. This isn’t a dish that I want to be super spicy, just a hint.
Salt & Pepper: Enhances the flavor.
Turkey Sausage: I used a packaged bulk sausage. You can also use link sausage with the casing removed.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are cooked and softened to help create the sauce and give it a fresh flavor.
Italian Seasoning: If you are fortunate enough to have fresh basil and parsley, by all means, use it! This time of year I use a bottle of dry Italian seasoning blend.
Half & Half: Creates the creamy sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Combines with the half & half to create a rich, creamy sauce.
Baby Spinach: My favorite leafy green adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Preparation
Start by boiling water to cook the pasta. While the pasta cooks, you will prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the onions and mushrooms. The onions will soften, and the mushrooms will release their liquid. Next, add the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir for a minute, then add the sausage. Break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. After the sausage starts cooking, add the chopped tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Cook until the sausage has cooked through, and the tomatoes are softened.
Once the pasta has cooked, drain thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
Reduce the heat and stir in the half & half and parmesan and allow to simmer as the sauce thickens. Add spinach and stir for a few minutes as the spinach wilts. Stir in the cooked pasta.
Sprinkle the creamy tomato & turkey sausage pasta with extra parmesan cheese. Serve with a side vegetable such as roasted broccoli or green salad. Enjoy!
Creamy Tomato & Turkey Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 cup rotini or penne pasta
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ⅓ medium onion chopped
- ¾ cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ pound turkey or chicken sausage casings removed if necessary
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup half and half
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- 1 cup baby spinach chopped
Instructions
- Heat water to boiling in a large pot and cook pasta to package directions.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and continue cooking for an additional minute. Add the turkey sausage and break up into pieces as it cooks. Add the chopped tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the sausage is completely cooked through and the tomatoes have softened.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the half and half and Parmesan. Simmer lightly, stirring frequently, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Add the spinach and stir until the spinach wilts. Stir in the cooked pasta. Top with extra parm and serve.