Description
Hearty spicy Italian sausage pasta delivers robust flavors from classic Mediterranean ingredients. Rich sauce and tender noodles create a comforting meal that brings warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 300 grams (10.6 ounces) spicy Italian sausage (halal chicken or beef sausage)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) penne pasta
- 1 can (400 grams/14.1 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions at 212°F, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy liquid for later use.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, around 350°F.
- Sauté diced onions until translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30-45 seconds.
- Crumble spicy Italian sausage into the skillet, browning thoroughly while breaking into small pieces, roughly 6-7 minutes.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture, then sprinkle red chili flakes, paprika, oregano, and basil.
- Simmer sauce uncovered for 8-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and slightly reduce.
- Reduce heat to low and gently incorporate heavy cream, creating a rich, smooth sauce.
- Season sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine cooked pasta with sauce, tossing carefully to ensure even coating.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over pasta, stirring until completely melted.
- Plate immediately and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant color and flavor.
Notes
- Swap spicy sausage with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter, healthier version that keeps the flavor profile intact.
- Keep pasta water handy as it contains starch that helps create a silky, clingy sauce when added incrementally during mixing.
- Crush herbs between your fingers before adding to release more intense aromatic oils and enhance the overall depth of flavor in the dish.
- For a gluten-free option, use alternative pasta like chickpea or zucchini noodles without compromising the rich, robust sauce characteristics.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg