Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta (Print View)

Savor rich Italian sausage with creamy tomato sauce, parmesan, and herbs, tossed with pasta for hearty comfort.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 14 oz Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casings removed

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 5 oz baby spinach, optional

→ Sauce Components

06 - 1 2/3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
07 - 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
08 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, optional
15 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
02 - While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes.
03 - Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Incorporate the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - If using, add the baby spinach to the sauce and allow it to wilt.
07 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Creates restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort
  • Perfect balance of savory sausage and creamy tomato sauce
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day
  • Complete one-pot meal with protein, carbs and vegetables
  • Easily customizable with different proteins or vegetables
  • Impressive enough for company but simple enough for weeknights
03 -
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think you need as the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Adding a splash when reheating leftovers revives the creamy texture perfectly.
  • Always taste for seasoning before serving as different brands of sausage vary greatly in salt content.
  • For the most vibrant flavor, finish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving to brighten all the rich flavors.

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