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 Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 can
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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 the pasta.
⏱️ 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, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and heated through. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce.
⏱️ 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. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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 Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 can
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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 the pasta.
⏱️ 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, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and heated through. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce.
⏱️ 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. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min