Description
A comforting and flavorful pasta dish featuring Italian sausage and a fresh tomato reduction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces of your favorite pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 2 cups fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once shimmering, add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Remove casing from Italian sausage and crumble it into the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add canned diced tomatoes (with juices) and fresh cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Let simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water if it gets too thick.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated in the sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by choosing mild or spicy sausage.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Hearty Tuscan Sausage Pasta, Fresh Tomato Reduction, Italian Pasta Recipe