Step 1

Place a large 9-10″ skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is hot add the sausage, and using a wooden spoon or metal utensil if appropriate, break apart the sausage and brown it. When the sausage is done, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta while you continue on with the sauce.

Step 3

Add the olive oil to the pan with the sausage grease if needed along with the onion and garlic. Sauté over medium heat stirring frequently until the onion is golden brown. Add the Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, and Dijon mustard. Briskly simmer until the wine is almost gone.

Step 4

Next add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions for al dente. I like to remove the pasta a couple minutes early so it can finish in the sauce.

Step 5

While the pasta cooks, add the heavy cream to the pan with the sun-dried tomato mixture. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a light simmer. Be careful not to let it boil over so there’s no mess!

Step 6

Simmer the sauce until it’s lightly thickened 6-8 minutes. Next add the roughly chopped spinach and stir to combine and wilt the spinach, then add the sausage back to the pan. If your pan is too small, add the spinach to the drained pasta in it’s pot along with the sauce and simmer in that instead.

Step 7

Drain the pasta, then add it to the pan along with the sausage and simmer 1-2 minutes stirring constantly to help the sauce adhere to the pasta.

Step 8

Finally add the grated parmesan, season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Stir in the optional basil leaving some to sprinkle as a garnish, and serve immediately with more grated parmesan.