Description
This creamy sausage pasta recipe combines savory ground sausage with a rich, flavorful sauce made from heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in the creamy sauce and garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, making it a comforting and satisfying meal that can be prepared in just about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Sausage & Sauce:
- 1 lb ground sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
For Garnishing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add your choice of pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni) to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, which means the pasta is cooked but still has a firm bite.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside for later use with the sauce.
- Heat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to get ready for cooking the sausage.
- Cook Sausage: Add the ground sausage to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until it is browned thoroughly.
- Drain Grease: If there is excess grease in the skillet from the sausage, carefully drain it to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Sauté Onion: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, which will add depth and a touch of heat to the dish.
- Cook Aromatics: Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned to maintain its flavor.
- Add Tomato Paste & Liquids: Stir in the tomato paste followed by the chicken broth and heavy cream to create the creamy sauce base.
- Simmer Sauce: Mix well and allow the sauce to simmer for 3–4 minutes until it thickens slightly, intensifying the flavors.
- Add Cheese & Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt; cook for another 2 minutes so the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet and toss it well to coat every piece evenly with the sausage cream sauce.
- Absorb Flavors: Let the pasta and sauce cook together for 1–2 minutes so the pasta can soak up the delicious flavors.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese over the top for a fresh and cheesy finish.
- Serve: Serve the creamy sausage pasta warm and enjoy a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option instead of pork or beef sausage.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preference for spice.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for flavor and melting.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.