Ziti with Creamy Pesto and Italian Sausage
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ziti with Creamy Pesto and Italian Sausage recipe—a rich, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Featuring tender ziti pasta tossed in a luxurious creamy pesto sauce, this recipe is elevated with savory browned Italian sausage and a generous dose of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A hint of garlic and optional red pepper flakes add depth and a subtle kick, while fresh basil leaves provide a vibrant garnish that ties all the flavors together. Ready in just 35 minutes, this crowd-pleasing pasta dish combines the bold flavors of Italian cuisine with the simplicity of a one-skillet meal. Perfectly customizable with your choice of mild or spicy sausage, it’s a surefire way to satisfy your craving for hearty comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, plus extra for serving)
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and pesto sauce. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well combined and heated through.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), and the reserved cooked sausage. Mix until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the drained ziti pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly in the creamy pesto sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Transfer the ziti to serving plates or a large serving bowl. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil leaves.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5244 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 318.1 g | 408% | |
| Saturated Fat | 132.6 g | 663% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 557 mg | 186% | |
| Sodium | 9900 mg | 430% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 366.3 g | 133% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.7 g | 99% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.1 g | ||
| Protein | 215.1 g | 430% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3084 mg | 237% | |
| Iron | 23.9 mg | 133% | |
| Potassium | 1123 mg | 24% | |
*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.
