Imagine a pasta dish so irresistibly creamy and packed with flavor that it'll make your taste buds dance with joy! This Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta is not just another weeknight meal—it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece. With golden Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and a luxurious cream base, this recipe promises to become your go-to comfort food that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the casings from the Italian sausage and crumble the meat into the hot skillet.
- Cook the sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until it's fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes. The meat should develop a nice golden color and release its flavorful oils.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine with the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to develop deeper flavors.
- Stir in the heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy tomato sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let the pasta rest for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Always reserve some pasta water before draining—its starchy goodness helps create a silkier sauce and can help adjust consistency.
- Use high-quality Italian sausage for the most robust flavor; remove casings completely for better integration with the sauce.
- Don't rush the sausage browning process—letting it develop a golden color releases deeper, more complex flavors.
- Be cautious when adding garlic to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste.
- For extra richness, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged varieties.
- Let the pasta rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 110mg
