Description
This creamy sausage pasta recipe offers a deliciously rich and comforting dish combining tender penne pasta, savory pork sausage, and a luscious heavy cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it balances hearty flavors with a smooth, indulgent texture that the entire family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tsp salt
Sausage
- 1 pound Jimmy Dean regular pork sausage
Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- Optional: garlic or chopped green peppers for added flavor
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Add 2 tsp salt to a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook the sausage thoroughly, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add garlic or chopped green peppers if desired for extra flavor. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully browned with no pink remaining.
- Prepare the Sauce: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Remove the cooked sausage from the pan and set aside. Deglaze the hot pan by adding the reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits. Lower the heat to medium, then add the heavy cream to the pan. Let it simmer gently for 3-5 minutes to thicken and develop creamy richness.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and add it to the cream sauce in the pan. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and mix everything together thoroughly. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For a spicier kick, use spicy Italian sausage instead of regular pork sausage.
- Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving for extra richness.
- Optional vegetables like spinach or mushrooms can be sautéed with the sausage for added nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
