Spicy Italian Sausage Penne Skillet
Spicy Italian Sausage Penne Skillet
Ingredients
For the Skillet
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 yellow onion, medium, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, deep 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, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the panko bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and toasted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 4 min
- 7
Serve the spicy Italian sausage penne skillet hot, garnished with toasted bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh chopped parsley.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Italian Sausage Penne Skillet
Ingredients
For the Skillet
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 yellow onion, medium, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, deep 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, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the panko bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and toasted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 4 min - 7
Serve the spicy Italian sausage penne skillet hot, garnished with toasted bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh chopped parsley.
⏱️ 1 min