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Italian sausage rose pasta

Italian sausage rose pasta

Italian sausage rose pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring savory Italian sausage combined with a creamy rose sauce—a perfect balance of tomato and cream. Ready in under 30 minutes, this flavorful pasta is ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners, delivering a satisfying and family-friendly meal with simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Meat and Protein

  • Italian sausage: 12 ounces, mild or spicy, removed from casing and crumbled

Sauce

  • Tomato sauce (crushed tomatoes): 1 cup
  • Heavy cream: 1/2 cup
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Onion: 1 small, diced
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Salt and pepper: to taste

Pasta

  • Penne or rigatoni pasta: 12 ounces

Finishing Touches

  • Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup, freshly grated
  • Fresh basil or parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until al dente, typically 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency later if needed.
  2. Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble the Italian sausage into the pan and sauté until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to break it up.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Add minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet with the sausage, cooking until fragrant and soft, roughly 3-4 minutes. This step builds a savory base for your rose sauce.
  4. Prepare the rose sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream to create a silky pink sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sausage rose sauce until well coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it up perfectly.
  6. Finish with cheese and herbs: Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley. This final touch adds a burst of flavor and brightness to your creamy Italian sausage rose pasta.

Notes

  • Use quality Italian sausage for the best flavor.
  • Add cream off the heat or on low to prevent curdling and maintain silky sauce texture.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without watering down flavor.
  • Season gradually, tasting as you go to achieve perfect balance.
  • Add fresh basil or parsley at the end to keep their vibrant flavor intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage rose pasta, creamy pasta, quick pasta recipe, sausage pasta, rose sauce pasta