Skillet Penne and Sausage Dinner

When I stumbled across this recipe, I knew it was one that would be immediately popular with my family.  The creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce is the perfect pairing with the spice of the Italian Sausage.  By the time I added the spinach in, I was one happy camper!  The flavors had so much dimension and the colors looked beautiful on the finished plate.  Not only is it a quick meal to throw together, but it is a one-dish meal which earns even more points on a busy weeknight.  The whole meal came together well under 30 minutes and there was barely anything to clean up.

Skillet Penne and Sausage Dinner
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, minced
salt
1 pound sweet Italian Sausage (casings removed)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, rinsed and chopped fine
8 ounces penne 

2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (5 ounce) bag spinach
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
pepper

Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until simmering. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink.  Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Sprinkle the tomatoes and pasta evenly over the sausage. Pour the broth and cream over the pasta. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.  Stir in the spinach a handful at a time and cook until wilted, about two minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.  

Source: A Blog About Food, originally from America's Test Kitchen