Pasta with Sausage Cream Sauce- Pasta coated in a rich, creamy sauce with Parmesan cheese and nicely browned and crusted Italian sausage equals comfort food in a bowl. This meal is irresistible and perfect for enjoying by the fire on a cold autumn night.
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Type Of Pasta To Use
I used cavatappi, but you could also use penne, fusilli, or orecchiette (which is the one I really wanted to use but couldn’t find.)
How To Cook The Sausage
I used a pound of bulk mild Italian sausage, but you could use hot Italian sausage instead. For cooking the sausage I used a method I learned from Cook’s Illustrated. Ordinarily if you sauté Italian sausage and break it apart as it cooks, by the time you develop some nice browning on it, the sausage becomes a little dry and chewy.
But if you sprinkle some baking soda on it, let it sit for a few minutes, then cook it in a big patty so you can get a nice sear on each side without overcooking it, it stays fabulously tender. Take it out of the pan while still undercooked, chop it into bite-sized pieces and let it finish cooking in the cream sauce. Delicious!
Equipment Needed For Pasta With Sausage Cream Sauce
- Pasta Pot- I really recommend using a pasta pot like this with a lid strainer. I was badly burned on my arm a few years ago carrying a pot of boiling water to the sink. Now I always use a pot like this one so the water can’t spill out on my way to the sink.
- Large Skillet
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta
- Spicy Tomato Cream Pasta
- Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
- Mardi Gras Pasta
- Feta Shrimp Penne
Pasta with Sausage Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet or mild Italian sausage
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 small sweet or yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces pasta cooked until al dente, reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of sausage with baking soda and shape into a large hamburger patty about 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick. Let sit 10 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Place sausage on a plate or cutting board and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. Transfer sausage to a bowl and add cream. Set aside.
- If there is more than 1 1/2 tablespoons of grease in skillet, discard excess. Add onion to skillet and cook over medium heat until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Add wine and cook until reduced in half.
- Add sausage/cream mixture and simmer 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add nutmeg, parsley, and Parmesan. Remove from heat and stir until cheese is melted. If sauce is too thick, add some reserved cooking liquid.
- Toss sauce with pasta and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally posted November 5, 2014.
Of course I have to include this recipe in this week menu. looks delicious and it’s simply to do.
I need to add this to my menu plan for the week! Looks amazing!
Craving a bowl of this pasta right now.. it looks so comforting and delicious! Great recipe!
I feel like cavatappi is macaroni for fancy people heehee. 😀 I love this pasta, Christin! So hearty and warm for autumn!
Yummy, this sounds awesome! Your pics are beautiful! Love all the yummy flavors in here– so comforting!
YUM! This pasta looks absolutely gorgeous and your photos are stunning! Wishing I was eating this for lunch today 🙂
I have been having a thing for Italian sausage lately – love your pairing of it with nutmeg in this! GORGEOUS photos Christin!
This pasta is gorgeous and I LOVE your tip about the baking soda keeping the sausage tender! Must try that next time.
It seems like it is not that difficult to prepare and it looks so yummy!
honestly, the first thing i thought when i saw the first picture here was I WANT TO MAKE THIS TONIGHT. unfortunately i have chilli in the freezer to eat tonight but i am making this so soon!!
the hobbit kitchen x
yup, that is a BEAUTIFUL pasta!
This looks so comforting! Love the addition of the nutmeg as well. Pinned!
Looks delicious!
I totally agree with you… this recipe is a comfort food in a bowl. Absolutely perfect for fall by the fire on a cold week night.I have some Italian sausage in my refrigerator, so I already know what I will be make with them soon
😉
I seriously wish I had this pasta for lunch right now! It looks incredibly delicious! Love the baking soda tip too!
Throw sausage into pasta and I’m one happy girl. That cream sauce sounds delicious, too! 🙂
What a great tip Christin! I’ve never heard of using baking soda to keep the sausage tender, definitely trying that out! Major love for this pasta!
This is just about my favorite comfort food in a bowl. Gorgeous pasta, Christin! I love the cream sauce that is paired with the sausage. Sounds perfect!
Girl this looks insanely delicious! Like way too good!
Just beautiful! Your photos make me crave anything you are making! Love the combination of flavours here — so perfect for fall!