Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
User Reviews
5
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta features cooked pasta tossed in a smooth sauce made from heavy cream and melted Parmesan cheese. The Italian sausage is browned in olive oil and cooked with onions, garlic, and optional red pepper flakes, providing a flavorful base. The sauce comes together by simmering the cream and folding in cheese for a velvety finish. Fresh basil added off the heat brightens the dish with herbal freshness. The pasta water is reserved to adjust the sauce consistency as needed, ensuring the dish stays moist and creamy.
This pasta works well as a main course on its own, pairing nicely with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a meal with a variety of textures and colors. Its richness and sausage flavor make it a suitable dish for casual dinners or weekends when a satisfying meal is desired.
To tailor the dish's heat level, select mild or hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes accordingly. If heavy cream is unavailable, alternatives such as half-and-half or milk with butter can substitute, though the sauce’s richness may be slightly lighter. Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best flavor, and reserving pasta water before draining is important to maintain sauce texture.
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 to taste
- black pepper to taste
- ½ cup basil chopped for garnish, fresh
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.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
- Choose either mild or hot Italian sausage depending on preferred spice level.
- Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk plus butter if necessary.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese is best but pre-grated can be used in a pinch.
- Fresh basil garnishes the dish, but parsley is a suitable alternative.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 794 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 794kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 61g | 20% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 48g | 74% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 114mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 836mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 452mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 819IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 264mg | 26% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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