Description
A flavorful and creamy Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta featuring a rich tomato and cream sauce, perfectly blended with spicy sausage and aromatic herbs. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a comforting and delicious meal your family will crave, ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Pasta
- 1 pound (450g) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
- 12 ounces (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes and Add-ins
- Fresh basil leaves (a handful, optional)
- Sautéed mushrooms or spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Remove the casing from the sausage and crumble it into bite-size pieces.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried Italian seasoning to the sausage. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Crushed Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stir to combine, and simmer gently for 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in the boiling salted water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Make the Sauce Creamy: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat well. If using sautéed mushrooms or spinach, add them now and cook just until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
- Final Touches: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately, offering extra Parmesan cheese on the side for added flavor.
Notes
- To reduce spice, omit the red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce may be less thick.
- You can use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
- Sauté mushrooms or spinach adds extra nutrition and flavor but is optional.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helping it cling to the pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta, creamy sausage pasta, easy pasta recipe, dinner recipe, Italian sausage pasta, quick pasta dinner
