Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Italian Sausage
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 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, freshly ground
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. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 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, 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
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add another 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more 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 gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
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.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Italian Sausage
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 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, freshly ground
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. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 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, 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
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add another 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more 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 gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce. Add the cooked Italian sausage back into the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
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.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min