For an easy gluten free weeknight meal, look no further than this delicious skillet dinner. Thanks to my sister for turning me on to the sausage and spinach combo, she made this meal for me shortly after my Celiac diagnosis! Today I always like to have a variety of sausage on hand in my freezer pantry. It’s delicious and the bold seasonings are enough to flavor an entire dish. So, grab a pack, along with some gluten free penne and fresh baby spinach and let’s prepare a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner.
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3-4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. gluten free Italian sausage sliced into coins
- 2 oz. diced pancetta
- 1/2 lb. gluten free penne
- 1/2 bag fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 sweet onion, small dice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine (not cooking wine)
- 1 ladle of pasta water
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- grated cheese for finishing (Parmesan or Romano)
- Italian parsley for garnish optional
Preparation:
Cook the penne for 5 minutes less than the package directions, drain and set aside, reserving 1 ladle of the pasta water. I find that most gluten free pasta is done to al dente long before the package instructions. So, to be on the safe side I always under cook it, then finish it in the skillet.
Heat a large skillet over medium low and begin browning the sausage and pancetta in a little olive oil.
When nicely browned on both sides add the onion and garlic. Continue cooking and stir frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn.
Next add the drained penne, all of the spinach, white wine and a ladle of the pasta water.
Cover and cook 1-2 minutes longer, or just until the spinach is wilted. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, toss and finish with grated cheese and chopped parsley.
Dinner is on the table in under a half hour. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
Notes ♪♫ Today there are so many types of gluten free sausage available. Just in the 6 years since my Celiac diagnosis, the availability of delicious gluten free sausage has expanded so much. So don’t hesitate to take advantage of easy meals like this one. And if you’re worried about sodium or other ingredients, learn to make your own. Check out my Gluten Free Italian Sausage Patties, and my Gluten Free Breakfast Sausage Patties. Both are easy to make, and you control what goes into them!
Originally published 6/3/2018 Revised 1/17/2024
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Have a lovely weekend and we’ll see you tomorrow!
Did you add any pasta cooking water, Les? But I guess that would be different than traditional regarding the starch?
Looks good!
Hi Pat, thank you! Gluten free pasta does release quite a bit of starch, so you could certainly add a splash of pasta water as needed. In this recipe there was sufficient liquid from the wine and wilted spinach, and it does pick up the starch by allowing the pasta to finish cooking the last few minutes in the skillet.