Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is rich, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes. Tender pasta coated in a silky Parmesan cream sauce with hearty sausage makes this the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or when you just need something indulgent and satisfying.
Servings: 6
Calories: 794kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or hot
- 1 pound pasta such as penne or rotini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Next, add the diced onion, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the cream to heat up and then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted into the cream, creating a smooth sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add in some reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until everything is heated through.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with the chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Video
Notes
- Pasta Water: Don't forget to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. It can be used to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Sausage Options: Mild or spicy both work. For the best flavor, remove the casing and crumble it as it cooks so you get those golden crispy bits.
- Cream Substitute: Heavy cream is key. Substituting with milk or half-and-half will give you a thinner sauce.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly. Pre-grated tends to clump, but if that is all you have, stir constantly and add a splash of pasta water.
- Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk. Skip the freezer since cream sauces tend to separate.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 794kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 836mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 819IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 2mg
