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Ideal for busy nights or whenever you crave comfort food, this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a must-try! Featuring a rich and velvety sauce paired with flavorful Italian sausage, this easy dish promises a delightful meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
– 8 ounces penne pasta
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
– 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
– Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
2. Cook the sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove any excess fat from the skillet, if necessary.
3. Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the tomatoes and cream: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Then, pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
6. Add Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss again until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve: Garnish the creamy Italian sausage pasta with chopped fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
This creamy and flavorful pasta dish is sure to be a hit at your dinner table!
