Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
Savor the rich and bold flavors of this Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta! Made with Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and a creamy or tomato-based sauce, this easy recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, it’s packed with flavor and effortless to make.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional for creamy version)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, stirring well. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors.
- (Optional) Stir in heavy cream for a creamy version and let simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, adjust salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use fresh Italian sausage instead of pre-packaged.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing red pepper flakes.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg