Description
Zesty Italian sausage and pasta combined in a spicy tomato sauce, with a kick of heat and savory flavors. A satisfying, bold meal that’s sure to spice up your dinner routine!
Ingredients
For the Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (remove casings if using links)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat preference)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach (for extra greens)
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup white wine (for deglazing the pan)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or oregano
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta of choice (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti work best) and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use. Set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, crumble the spicy Italian sausage into the pan. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage into smaller pieces. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sausage is fully browned and cooked through. If you’re using sausages with casings, simply remove the casings before adding the sausage to the pan. Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the onion and garlic. Season the sauce with crushed red pepper flakes (adjust the amount based on how spicy you prefer your dish), salt, and black pepper. If you like a more herby flavor, you can also add Italian seasoning or dried oregano at this point. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to incorporate. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Once the sauce reaches a creamy consistency, add the Parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted and fully incorporated.
Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and sausage evenly in the creamy, spicy sauce. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to help coat the pasta and bring the sauce to the right consistency. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Once everything is well mixed, transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese. Serve hot, and enjoy the rich, spicy goodness of your meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 500-600 kcal
- Fat: 25-30g
- Carbohydrates: 50-55g
- Protein: 25g