Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich, cheesy sauce with savory Italian sausage and a hint of spice. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines classic Italian flavors with creamy textures for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne or rigatoni
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or spicy, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Spinach or sun-dried tomatoes can be added for extra flavor and color.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest and creamiest sauce.
- If you prefer less spice, omit the red pepper flakes or use mild Italian sausage.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
