Creamy Sausage Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
• ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
• ¾ cup chicken broth
• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz uncooked rigatoni (or pasta of choice: penne, ziti, rotini)
• ⅔ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp crushed rosemary
• ¼ tsp dried thyme leaves
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. After about 3-4 minutes, add the chopped onion and continue cooking until the sausage is browned and onions are soft and translucent, roughly 5-6 minutes.
2. Lower the heat to low and stir in the minced garlic, dried marjoram, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring to release those wonderful aromas. Transfer the sausage mixture to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain and set aside.
4. In the same skillet used for the sausage, pour in the chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift up the flavorful browned bits. Add in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 12-15 minutes until reduced by half.
5. Once the sauce has thickened, reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
6. Add the sausage mixture and the cooked pasta back to the skillet. Toss everything together until well-coated in the creamy sauce. Taste and season with salt as needed. Allow it to cook on low heat for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
7. Serve your creamy sausage pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing your guests!

Nutritional Information:
Approximately 550 calories per serving (based on 6 servings), with protein from the sausage and cheese, healthy fats from cream, and vitamins from spinach.