Penne with Sausage Tomato Red Pepper in Cream Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne with Sausage, Tomato, and Red Pepper in Cream Sauce—a rich and hearty pasta dish bursting with bold flavors. Perfectly al dente penne is coated in a luscious sauce made from tangy crushed tomatoes, velvety heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, creating an irresistible balance of creaminess and zest. Savory Italian sausage, sweet red bell peppers, and aromatic garlic come together to elevate the dish with layers of depth and spice, further enhanced by a touch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Finished with fresh basil for a fragrant, herbaceous touch, this dish is as easy to make as it is satisfying, coming together in just 45 minutes. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this one-pot wonder is guaranteed to impress and leave everyone wanting seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 large red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4844 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 289.1 g | 371% | |
| Saturated Fat | 132.5 g | 662% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 750 mg | 250% | |
| Sodium | 9829 mg | 427% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 313.1 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.0 g | 93% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.8 g | ||
| Protein | 215.9 g | 432% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2870 mg | 221% | |
| Iron | 22.4 mg | 124% | |
| Potassium | 3614 mg | 77% | |
*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.
