Description
Cheesy Sausage Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish featuring penne pasta, Italian sausage, and a rich cheese sauce, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cooked penne pasta, mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute turkey sausage for Italian sausage and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor. Sauté them with the onion and garlic for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg