Description
Hearty “Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta” delivers robust Mediterranean flavors that dance across palates with bold complexity. Comfort meets culinary excitement in this rustic dish where savory sausage and perfectly al dente pasta invite you to savor each memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) uncooked penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce/410 grams) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or dry white wine
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
Seasonings and Garnish:
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge the penne, cooking until perfectly tender yet firm. Carefully drain and reserve the pasta.
- Activate a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Crumble the Italian sausage into the pan, methodically breaking it into delicate fragments. Sear until a rich, golden-brown crust develops and the meat reaches complete doneness.
- Introduce finely diced onions to the caramelized sausage landscape. Allow them to transform into translucent jewels, then shower with minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth or white wine, using a wooden utensil to liberate the concentrated flavor remnants clinging to the skillet’s surface. Let the liquid reduce and integrate.
- Cascade diced tomatoes with their vibrant juices into the skillet. Stream in luxurious heavy cream, then sprinkle dried basil, a whisper of salt, fiery crushed red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper. Orchestrate the ingredients into a gentle simmer, allowing them to harmonize and concentrate.
- Marry the cooked penne with the robust sauce, ensuring each pasta tube becomes thoroughly embraced. Incorporate grated Parmesan, stirring until it melts completely and creates a silky coating.
- Extinguish the heat, crown the dish with fresh basil leaves and an optional cascade of additional Parmesan. Present immediately while radiating warmth and flavor.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting crushed red pepper flakes to suit personal spice tolerance.
- Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or plant-based alternative for dietary flexibility.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising flavor.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for reduced calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg