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Creamy Sausage Pasta

Creamy Sausage Pasta
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Creamy Sausage Pasta is a quick and comforting meal combining savory Italian sausage with a rich and velvety cream sauce, perfectly tossed with pasta like penne or rigatoni. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish balances indulgent flavors and satisfying textures, ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners that please the whole family.

Ingredients

Sausage and Protein

  • Italian sausage (spicy or sweet) – about 12 ounces

Pasta

  • Penne or rigatoni pasta – 12 ounces

Dairy

  • Heavy cream – 1 cup
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated – ½ cup

Aromatics and Seasonings

  • Garlic, minced – 3 cloves
  • Onion, finely chopped – 1 small
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – ¼ teaspoon
  • Salt – to taste
  • Black pepper – to taste

Fresh Herbs and Oil

  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped – 2 tablespoons
  • Olive oil – 1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne or rigatoni and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Drain and reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then set pasta aside.
  2. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink in the center, about 7 minutes.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: To the browned sausage, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent, enhancing the sauce’s savory foundation.
  4. Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat slightly and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens gently into a rich, velvety consistency.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sausage sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
  6. Season and Garnish: Season the dish with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Finish by stirring in the chopped fresh herbs to brighten the flavors and add a fresh pop of color.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the sauce to prevent curdling and maintain a silky texture.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce thickness and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Use high-quality Italian sausage for bold, authentic flavor.
  • Freshly grate Parmesan cheese for smoother melting and fresh taste.
  • Let the dish rest off the heat briefly to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy sausage pasta, Italian sausage pasta, quick pasta dinner, comforting pasta recipe, creamy pasta sauce

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/creamy-sausage-pasta/