Description
This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta recipe features savory Italian sausage, a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce enriched with Parmesan and cream cheese, and fresh spinach tossed with ziti pasta. The sauce is infused with flavorful ingredients like Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and herbs, creating a comforting and delicious Italian-inspired main course perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
Pasta and Sausage
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage links (or hot if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lb ziti pasta (or pasta of choice)
- ½ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1½ tablespoons flour
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups packed fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine all sauce ingredients (chicken broth, half and half, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, soy sauce, basil, oregano, parsley, onion powder, paprika, and garlic salt) in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Measure out all remaining ingredients so they’re ready to use.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage links and sear them on all sides for 10-15 minutes until browned. If the skillet becomes too hot, reduce the heat to avoid burning. Reduce heat to a simmer, add ½ cup water or chicken broth, cover, and cook for 10 more minutes. Remove the lid and allow most liquid to evaporate. Turn off heat and let sausages rest for 10 minutes. Then slice them into pieces.
- Prepare the Pasta: While cooking the sausage, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions (about 9-12 minutes), then drain.
- Make the Sauce: Add the white wine to the same skillet used for the sausage. Set heat to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer until wine is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Melt butter, then add tomato paste and flour, cooking while stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add Sauce Mixture: Slowly pour the sauce mixture into the skillet in small splashes while stirring continuously to avoid lumps and maintain sauce thickness.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Cream Cheese: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then add cream cheese and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add Parmesan and Spinach: Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously. Add the spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Toss in the sliced sausage and heat through over low heat. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use sweet Italian sausage for a milder flavor or hot sausage for a spicier dish.
- Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay work best. Non-alcoholic wines or chicken broth can be substitutes.
- Try various pasta shapes such as penne, cavatappi, shells, farfalle, or rigatoni.
- Choose plain sun-dried tomatoes without added herbs for best flavor; canned diced tomatoes or Rotel canned tomatoes can add a different twist.
- Use tomato paste from tubes for easy measuring.
- Hot sauce, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce enhance flavor subtly with heat, acidity, and umami.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and enhances flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Philadelphia cream cheese from a tub melts smoothly and blends well into the sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a microwave on low power or using a double boiler for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
