Greens N Beans Pasta with Italian Sausage
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this comforting and hearty Greens N Beans Pasta with Italian Sausage. This satisfying one-pan meal blends tender penne pasta, savory Italian sausage, creamy cannellini beans, and vibrant greens like spinach or kale into a deliciously well-rounded dish. A hint of garlic, red pepper flakes, and a splash of chicken broth create a flavorful sauce that clings to every bite. Finished with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest for brightness, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. Whether you're craving bold Italian-inspired flavors or looking to sneak in some extra greens, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser the whole family will love!
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 15 oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups baby spinach or kale, chopped if needed
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 0 to taste salt
- 0 to taste black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Step 3
Lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Step 5
Add the cannellini beans to the skillet, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to warm the beans.
Step 6
Stir in the chopped greens and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until wilted and tender.
Step 7
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss to combine, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Step 8
Sprinkle the mixture with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss to ensure everything is well coated and heated through.
Step 9
Serve immediately, with additional Parmesan on the side if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1875.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3463.5 |
| Total Fat 157.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 57.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 333.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 7811.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 346.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 41.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 5.6g | |
| Protein 175.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 47.6IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1981.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 34.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 5074.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories