Description
A quick and creamy sausage pasta recipe featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a luscious heavy cream sauce with flavorful cooked sausage, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tsp salt
Sausage and Sauce
- 1 pound Jimmy Dean regular pork sausage
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- Optional: garlic or chopped green peppers for additional flavor
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Add 2 teaspoons of salt to a large pot of boiling water. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Cook the Sausage: In a separate large pan over medium-high heat, cook the sausage thoroughly, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Optionally, add minced garlic or chopped green peppers to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: After removing the cooked sausage from the pan, deglaze the pan with the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce the heat to medium, add the heavy cream, and simmer the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine and Serve: Add the drained pasta directly to the cream sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and mix thoroughly to combine. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a smooth sauce.
- Optional additions like garlic or green peppers can add extra flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta to avoid mushy texture; al dente is best.
- This recipe serves 6, making it great for family meals or leftovers.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though sauce will be less rich.
