Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato Sausage Shells
Large pasta shells tossed with savory Italian sausage and a rich, creamy tomato sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Get ready for a hearty and incredibly satisfying pasta dish that's cozy and delicious. Our Creamy Tomato Sausage Shells bring together tender pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, and a luscious tomato cream sauce that clings to every nook and cranny. It's comfort food at its finest, yet surprisingly simple to whip up for a weeknight family meal.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 lb large pasta shells (or your favorite pasta shape)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary, then remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
Step 3
Add chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5
Return the cooked sausage to the sauce. Add the cooked pasta shells and toss gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce.
Step 6
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Tips
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter sauce, but heavy cream provides the best richness.
- Don't rinse your pasta after draining; the small amount of starchy water clinging to the shells helps the sauce adhere better.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the garlic if you like a little extra kick.
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