Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Sausage
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 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 rigatoni pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed) and break it apart with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage
For the Pasta and Sausage
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 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 rigatoni pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed) and break it apart with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min