Description
Craving a rich, comforting pasta that’s packed with flavor? This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta combines tender penne, savory sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce for a meal that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant! It’s cheesy, hearty, and incredibly easy to make—perfect for weeknights or a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- ¾ tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp dried basil
- ¾ tsp dried parsley
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ½ cup half and half or heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, cook until browned, then remove to a plate.
3️⃣ Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, cook the onion for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic & tomato paste, stirring for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4️⃣ Build the sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the pan to release flavor. Let reduce for 3-5 minutes, then add diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
5️⃣ Make it creamy: Stir in half and half, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
6️⃣ Combine everything: Return sausage to the skillet, add the pasta, and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan & mozzarella until melted and gooey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 550 per serving
- Fat: 28g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 50g per serving
- Protein: 28g per serving