Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta
Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta is a deliciously bold dish combining hearty sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy tomato-based sauce. Easy to customize and full of flavor, it’s perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rigatoni or any pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ pound spicy Italian sausage casing removed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 garlic cloves minced or sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup dry white wine e.g., Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 can 14.5 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until the butter has melted completely.
- Add the sausage to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces as it browns.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Mix in the tomato paste, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture deepens in color.
- Deglaze the skillet with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring, until most of the wine has evaporated.
- Add the diced tomatoes and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 5-6 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is thick and coats the pasta.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra grated Parmesan.