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
- 1 tablespoon 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 salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta (use 1 tablespoon of salt).
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the water heats, heat 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 fat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
While the sauce simmers, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Uncover the sauce. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the drained pasta directly 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
- 9
Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese 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
- 1 tablespoon 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 salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta (use 1 tablespoon of salt).
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the water heats, heat 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 fat.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
While the sauce simmers, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Uncover the sauce. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the drained pasta directly 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 - 9
Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 2 min