Penne Sausage in Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Indulge in the comfort of this savory Penne Sausage in Creamy Parmesan Sauce—a quick and irresistible Italian-inspired dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Al dente penne pasta is smothered in a luxuriously smooth parmesan-infused sauce, made from heavy cream and chicken broth, and accented with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Featuring browned Italian sausage, fragrant garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish balances bold flavors with creamy decadence. Ready in just 35 minutes, this one-pan recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Perfectly paired with garlic bread or a crisp green salad, it’s a must-try for pasta lovers!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 8 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 units garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Remove the Italian sausage from its casing (if applicable) and crumble it into the skillet. Cook the sausage until browned and cooked through, about 7–8 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Continue to stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3050 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 172.4 g | 221% | |
| Saturated Fat | 82.2 g | 411% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 453 mg | 151% | |
| Sodium | 3857 mg | 168% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 256.4 g | 93% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.2 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.4 g | ||
| Protein | 109.2 g | 218% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 967 mg | 74% | |
| Iron | 15.8 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 1408 mg | 30% | |
*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.
