Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in the fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in the fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min