Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring al dente bowtie pasta tossed in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with savory Italian sausage, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines hearty protein with a luscious, herb-infused sauce that you can easily prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
Sauce and Sausage
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes, chopped
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
- Cook Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage with casings removed and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Prepare Sauce: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, dried minced onion flakes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Pour in the heavy cream and mix well. Let the sauce simmer on medium heat until it thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm for a creamy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, although it may be less creamy.
- Make sure to drain the sausage grease well to prevent the sauce from becoming too oily.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley enhance the flavor and presentation but are optional.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
