Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta
A rich and savory pasta dish featuring tender sausage in a decadent, creamy tomato sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Sometimes, all you need is a comforting bowl of pasta, and this Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta delivers big on flavor and coziness! With a luscious tomato sauce enveloping savory sausage and your favorite pasta, it's a dish that feels special but comes together quickly enough for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed), mild or spicy
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 oz pasta of your choice (penne, rigatoni, rigatoni work well)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
Step 2
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
Step 3
Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it gently bubble while you cook the pasta.
Step 5
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 6
Stir heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the tomato sauce. Return the cooked sausage to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Don't skip reserving pasta water! It's your secret weapon for a perfectly saucy pasta.
- If you prefer a brighter tomato flavor, add a tablespoon of tomato paste with the onions and garlic.
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