Creamy Mushroom, Spinach, & Sausage Pasta

Behold, my husband’s favorite meal of all time! Creamy, healthy, quick to make, and packed with a deep savory flavour, this recipe will be enjoyed by all. The flavours all pair nicely with each other, creating a wonderful harmony of taste in your mouth. And, since it can be whipped up in under 30 minutes, there is no reason not to give this recipe a try!

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Nutrition Facts:

Servings: ~4

Per Serving:

Cal: 795 Total Fat: 47g Total Carbs: 58g Fiber: 3.4g Sugar: 2g Protein: 33g

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

8 oz. of penne pasta

Olive oil for the skillet

1 lb. of Italian sausage OR ground beef

8 oz. of sliced Baby Bella mushrooms

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 tbsp. of fennel seeds (only if using ground beef)

1 tbsp. of Italian seasoning (only if using ground beef)

4-5 cloves of garlick, minced

1/2 cup of wine (any kind) OR broth

1/2 cup pasta water

1 cup of shredded parmesan or medium-sharp cheddar cheese

5 oz. of fresh spinach

1 tsp of salt + more to taste

1 tsp of black pepper + more to taste

Fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Add 1 lb of sausage (or ground beef), 8 oz of sliced mushrooms, and the diced onion to a large oiled skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until everything looks nice and brown. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

3. Add the 1 tbsp of fennel seeds (if using), 1 tbsp of Italian seasoning (if using), 1 tsp of black pepper, 1 tsp of salt, and the 4-5 cloves of garlick to the meat mixture, and cook for about 30 seconds.

4. Add the 1/2 cup of wine (or broth), reduce the heat to medium-low, and let cook until the pasta is fully cooked.

5. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and the pasta to the skillet with the meat, and mix until combined.

6. Add the 5 oz of fresh spinach, and mix together until wilted and combined.

7. Garnish with fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Enjoy!

Notes:

• I highly recommend not skipping the basil, as it brings the whole dish together and adds a lovely kick of flavour. You could also use dried basil, but fresh is preferred.

• You could also leave out the meat for a lighter, vegetarian version.

• You can add 1 lb. of pasta instead of 8 oz. for a more filling and bulky meal, if you wish.

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Hearty and delicious, this easy weeknight dinner recipe will always be one of our favorites, and I hope that you make it again and again.

See you next Wednesday!