Creamy Sausage & Spinach Pasta

1 lb. mild or spicy Italian sausage1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. dried basil

Pinch red pepper flakes

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tbs. tomato paste

1/2 c. water

2 oz. cream cheese

1/4 c. grated Parmesan

1 lb. penne pasta

9 oz. fresh spinach

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain.

While pasta is cooking, cook the sausage in a large skillet, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until softened and transparent, about 5 minutes.

Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.

Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and add them to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese has fully melted in and the sauce is creamy. Add half of the Parmesan to the skillet and stir until it is melted in. Add the remainder of the Parmesan and stir until melted in.

Add the fresh spinach and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (3-5 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well-coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

(Adapted from Budget Bytes)