Description
A hearty and flavorful pasta dish made with crumbled Italian sausage, a rich tomato-based sauce, and your favorite pasta—perfect for cozy dinners or busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream if making a creamy version. Let simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine and simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce coats the pasta.
- Sprinkle with grated parmesan and garnish with chopped herbs before serving.
Notes
- Add bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Use turkey or plant-based sausage for a lighter version.
- Swap in diced tomatoes with basil and garlic for extra flavor.
- For more creaminess, add extra cream and shredded mozzarella.
- To reduce spice, use mild sausage and omit red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
