Description
Italian Sausage Pasta is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring savory Italian-style sausage, garlic, onions, and a rich tomato cream sauce tossed with tender pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese. This comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb halal Italian-style sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until browned.
- Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream.
- Add cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until creamy and heated through.
- Garnish with basil and parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use spicy halal Italian sausage for extra heat and flavor.
- Rigatoni and penne work best because they hold the sauce well.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for additional vegetables.
- Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American