Description
Marry me ditalini sausage pasta promises a romantic culinary journey through hearty Italian flavors. Creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned sausage create an irresistible meal you’ll want to share with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) ditalini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Herbs, Spices, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil ditalini pasta in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes at a rolling boil. Drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then crumble sausage and cook until golden brown and fully rendered, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until aromatic, careful not to burn.
- Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pan’s surface to incorporate rich flavor.
- Pour in heavy cream, introduce sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and ingredients to meld.
- Incorporate parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted and sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Fold in cooked ditalini pasta and fresh spinach, ensuring every pasta piece is luxuriously coated with the robust sauce.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh torn basil leaves. Serve immediately while piping hot for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of flavor that elevates the entire dish’s warmth and depth.
- Consider using gluten-free pasta to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Fresh baby spinach wilts perfectly and adds nutritional value, but can be replaced with kale or arugula for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg