Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Delight brings robust flavors from Italian kitchens straight to your table. Hearty sausage, rich cream, and perfectly al dente pasta combine for a comforting meal that welcomes you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta (such as penne or rotini)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup (20 grams) fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract and set aside of starchy pasta water before draining the noodles in a colander.
- Heat of extra virgin olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce the Italian sausage, methodically crumbling the meat using a wooden spoon or spatula. Sauté until the sausage develops a rich, golden-brown exterior and cooks completely through, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the sausage-filled skillet. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Sauté the aromatics until the onions become translucent and slightly softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium and gently pour in the heavy cream (236 milliliters or ). Allow the cream to warm slightly before gradually introducing freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety sauce.
- Introduce the cooked pasta into the skillet, thoroughly coating each noodle with the creamy sausage sauce. If the mixture appears too dense, progressively add reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, clingy consistency. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors and ensure everything is heated uniformly.
- Transfer the pasta to serving plates, garnishing generously with freshly chopped basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot and the sauce maintains its luxurious texture.
Notes
- Pasta water is liquid gold for creating the perfect sauce consistency, so always save a cup before draining.
- Breaking up sausage into small crumbles ensures even cooking and better sauce distribution throughout the dish.
- Parmesan cheese works best when freshly grated, melting more smoothly into the cream sauce than pre-packaged options.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a delightful kick of heat that complements the creamy, rich sauce.
- Cooking the sauce on medium heat prevents cream from scorching and helps achieve a silky, luxurious texture.
- Fresh basil as a garnish brings a bright, herbal freshness that cuts through the richness of the creamy sausage pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 890 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 62 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg