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Creamy Sausage Pasta

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A quick, budget-friendly, and hearty pasta dish featuring Italian sausage in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (100 g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, a handful chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of penne or rigatoni and cook according to package instructions, about 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Then add 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
  5. Stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and if desired, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  6. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce feels too thick, until the sauce clings to the pasta without being gloopy.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Give the pasta one last gentle stir before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for best sauce texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Simmer cream gently to avoid curdling. For lighter sauce, substitute half the cream with half-and-half or milk. Gluten-free pasta and turkey sausage can be used as alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy sausage pasta, easy pasta recipe, budget-friendly dinner, Italian sausage pasta, quick weeknight meal, creamy pasta sauce

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-sausage-pasta-recipe-easy-budget-friendly-hearty-feast/