Description
A rich and flavorful creamy Italian sausage pasta featuring sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil, delivering a perfect balance of savory and tangy notes. This dish combines tender pasta with a luscious, creamy sauce and savory Italian sausage, making it an ultimate crowd-pleaser for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Sauce and Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later use.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula to ensure even cooking, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Onions and Garlic: Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet and mix well to combine flavors.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture until it begins to simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Mix in Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and combined smoothly into the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed to suit your preference.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the creamy Italian sausage pasta, garnishing with fresh basil for a fragrant and colorful finish.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious creamy Italian sausage sun-dried tomato pasta.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- You can use either mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add more flavor; drain and chop before use.
- Fresh basil adds a fragrant garnish but can be substituted with parsley if desired.
- Parmesan cheese is key for that natural salty, umami flavor; do not skip.
- Cook the garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
