Description
Creamy Sausage Pasta with savory sausage, rich cream sauce, and al dente pasta – a quick and comforting dish perfect for pleasing a crowd!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) pasta
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups (475ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach or baby kale
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil for the pasta. While waiting, gather and prep all ingredients—dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the bell pepper if using. Having everything ready will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
- Step 2: Brown The Sausage Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Allow it to cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a golden crust, then continue breaking it up while cooking until nicely browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes total. The caramelization adds incredible flavor to your Creamy Sausage Pasta.
- Step 3: Build The Flavor Base Reduce heat to medium, then add the diced onion to the sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for just 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn the garlic. If using bell pepper, add it now and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 4: Create The Sauce Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits—this is where the magic happens! Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly, then slowly stir in the heavy cream. Add the dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) and cook for 5 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Step 5: Cook And Incorporate The Pasta While the sauce simmers, cook pasta to 1 minute less than package directions for al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce, tossing gently to coat every piece. Allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes in the sauce, adding splashes of reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 6: Finish The Dish Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If using spinach or kale, fold it in now—the residual heat will wilt it perfectly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish your Creamy Sausage Pasta with fresh herbs and additional Parmesan before serving immediately.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 120mg