Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a rich, comforting dish featuring savory Italian sausage, a velvety cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
- Salt (for boiling water)
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 300 g (10 oz) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
Make the Sauce:
- Cook the Sausage:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the Liquid Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings:
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and Serve:
- Mix the Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
- Make It Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Vegetables: Add sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta to suit dietary needs.