Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
User Reviews
4.1
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
697 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta features browned Italian sausage cooked with finely chopped onions and celery until soft. Garlic, ground fennel, dried rosemary, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg add warm herbal and mild spicy notes before deglazing with dry white wine. The sauce simmers with heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan to create a thick, velvety coating for pasta.
The dish results in a comforting pasta meal where savory sausage melds with the creamy, cheesy sauce. The tender vegetables contribute subtle sweetness and texture. This recipe calls for cooking pasta slightly under recommended time so it finishes cooking in the sauce, ensuring cohesion of flavors.
For finishing touches, optional fresh parsley adds brightness, and extra Parmesan can be served alongside. The sauce’s layers of herbs and spices complement the sausage’s richness well, making it a filling and flavorful pasta dish suitable for a main course.
Choosing mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage tailors the flavor intensity. Dried rosemary works here, though doubling fresh rosemary if available is an alternative. White wine selection can vary; dry white varietals like Pinot Grigio or Soave suit the sauce.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 oz Italian sausage see note 1, meat
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel ground
- 1 teaspoon rosemary see note 2, dried
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - see note 3
- pinch nutmeg - see note 4
- ⅔ cup white wine see note 5, dry
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
For the pasta
- 12 oz dried pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
To finish
- parmesan optional
- parsley optional, fresh
Instructions
Make the sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.1 tbsp olive oil
- Add the Italian sausage and use a spatula to break the meat apart. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned.14 oz / 400 g Italian sausage meat
- Add the onions and celery and lower the heat. Cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables are very soft.1 onion2 ribs celery
- Add the garlic, fennel, rosemary, red pepper flake, and nutmeg. Cook over low heat for 1 minute.2 cloves garlic1 tsp ground fennel1 tsp dried rosemary¼ tsp red pepper flakespinch nutmeg
- Deglaze the pan with the wine, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced.⅔ cup / 160 ml dry white wine
- Add the cream and broth, season lightly with salt and pepper, then put a lid on the pan and cook over low heat for 20 minutes while you cook the pasta.1 cup / 240 ml heavy cream⅔ cup / 160 ml chicken/vegetable broth
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the salt, and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.1 tbsp salt12 oz / 340 g dried pasta
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, and then drain the pasta.
Finish the dish
- Add the cooked, drained pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat.
- Add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and cook everything over medium-low heat until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Stir in the parmesan, adding more reserved cooking water if the sauce seems too thick. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.½ cup / 55 g Parmesan cheese salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serve garnished with more parmesan and chopped parsley. parmesan fresh parsley
Notes
- Use mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage to adjust the dish’s spiciness according to your taste.
- If using fresh rosemary instead of dried, double the amount for similar flavor impact.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and should be adjusted depending on the sausage spiciness and personal preference.
- Nutmeg is a subtle addition but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Any dry white wine can be used; choose varietals like Soave or Pinot Grigio for complementary flavors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 697 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 697kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 61g | 94% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Cholesterol | 152mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 627mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 402mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1035IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 247mg | 25% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.1
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