Description
A deliciously creamy Italian sausage pasta dish featuring bow tie pasta tossed in a rich sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, enhanced by sautéed Italian sausage, onions, garlic, and red bell pepper. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz bow tie pasta
Sausage & Vegetables
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside to be added later.
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, removing it from its casing and breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onion: Remove the browned sausage from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic & Pepper: Add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper to the onions. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the bell pepper to soften slightly while stirring frequently.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer & Thicken: Let the sauce mixture simmer gently for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow it to thicken slightly. Then stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and blends into the creamy sauce.
- Combine Sausage & Pasta: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix thoroughly into the sauce. Add the cooked bow tie pasta and gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sausage sauce.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can use turkey Italian sausage for a leaner option.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes can add a spicy kick to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- This dish can be prepared in advance; reheat gently and add a splash of chicken broth if sauce thickens too much.