Description
A delicious and quick weeknight dinner that combines savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, creamy sauce, and fresh basil. This dish is the perfect balance of rich flavors and comforting textures, making it a family favorite!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta (about 3/4 of a 16-ounce box)
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (ground beef can also be used)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (16-ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5–6 large leaves fresh basil, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- ook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until al dente.
- While pasta is cooking, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the sausage, cooking for a couple of minutes until softened.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and heat through.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it cook until the sauce reaches the desired thickness.
- Add fresh basil and let it simmer for a few more minutes.
- Mix the sausage sauce with the cooked pasta and serve. Top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
- Serve with crusty garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by simmering it longer for a thicker texture or shorter for a creamier one.
- You can swap the sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Make sure to save some pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg