Quick Creamy Sausage Pasta
User Reviews
5
Quick Creamy Sausage Pasta
Description
This recipe begins by cooking rigatoni pasta until al dente, then setting it aside. Italian sausage is browned in olive oil, broken into small crumbles. Excess grease is drained or blotted to avoid heaviness. Garlic and red pepper flakes are then sautéed briefly in the sausage fat to release fragrance.
Crushed canned tomatoes and dried basil are added, seasoned with salt and pepper, brought to a simmer and covered to cook for 15 minutes. This gentle simmer melds flavors while the sauce thickens slightly. Heavy cream is stirred in at the end for a mellow, creamy finish that contrasts with the acidity of tomatoes.
The drained pasta is incorporated into the sauce until well combined and served with an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to enhance savory notes. The dish can be adapted by using diced tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
This pasta is suitable for weeknight meals needing rich flavor without extensive preparation. It combines familiar ingredients to create a creamy yet tomato-forward sauce with spicy sausage and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni or your favorite pasta, about 4 1/2 cups
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or hot, casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 crushed tomatoes 14-ounce can
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- salt
- black pepper
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Parmesan Cheese optional for topping, shredded
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While your water boils and pasta cooks, in a large pot with a lid, heat oil over medium heat. Brown sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. If there is a lot of grease in the pan, drain sausage or use a paper towel to absorb some of the grease.
- Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until garlic begins to turn golden and fragrant. Add tomatoes, basil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Turn heat up to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in heavy cream. Taste and add more salt and pepper as is necessary.
- Stir in cooked and drained pasta. Serve and top with parmesan cheese if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Use diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce texture.
- Recipe yield and nutrition facts are based on six servings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4to 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 559 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 559kcal | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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