Pasta and Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Pasta and Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce recipe—a perfect marriage of hearty Italian sausage, velvety tomato cream sauce, and tender pasta. Each bite bursts with flavor from aromatic garlic, sweet onions, and a hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes. The rich sauce, made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, clings beautifully to every swirl of penne or fusilli. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish is a one-pan wonder ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan for a restaurant-quality finish. Perfect for fans of creamy pasta dishes, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it thoroughly with the sauce. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes to let the pasta absorb some of the sauce flavors.
Serve warm in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley and additional grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1044 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 61.7 g | 79% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.4 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 160 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 1802 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.8 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 40.4 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 305 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 5.2 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 1020 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
