Cozy Italian Magic: Hearty Tuscan Sausage Pasta Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand a comforting tuscan sausage pasta that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Robust Italian flavors dance across each perfectly twirled noodle, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Fragrant herbs and spicy sausage merge in a symphony of rustic charm.

The recipe brings together simple ingredients with remarkable depth and character.

Rich tomato sauce coats tender pasta, promising a delightful dining experience.

No complicated techniques stand between you and this delectable dish.

Serve this crowd-pleasing meal and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 678 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Ingredient List

• Penne Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that catches the creamy sauce perfectly, choose bronze-cut variety for better sauce adherence.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances pasta's flavor and helps season the water during boiling.

• Italian Sausage: Robust, flavorful meat that adds depth and richness to the dish, select fresh ground sausage with high meat content.
• Yellow Onion: Provides sweet aromatic base that mellows when sautéed, pick firm onions with no soft spots.
• Garlic Cloves: Intensely fragrant ingredient that adds sharp, warming notes to the sauce, choose fresh, firm cloves without green sprouts.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture in the sauce, opt for high-fat content cream for richer consistency.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant color and nutritional boost, select crisp, deep green leaves without wilting.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Introduces tangy, concentrated tomato flavor, choose oil-packed variety for enhanced taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, nutty undertone that elevates the entire dish, grate fresh for maximum flavor impact.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings subtle heat and complexity, adjust quantity based on spice preference.

Tools That Make Cooking This Pasta a Breeze

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of room for water and noodles.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring Cup: Helps reserve the right amount of pasta water for creating a perfect sauce.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for stirring pasta and transferring noodles between pot and colander.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for preparing ingredients and chopping if needed.

Pasta Cooking Instructions for That Finish

• Boil Water and Prepare Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Once done, drain the pasta but keep some cooking water nearby for later.

• Sauté Sausage and Aromatics

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble Italian sausage into the pan, cooking until it’s beautifully browned and crispy. Toss in minced garlic and diced onions, stirring until they release their fragrant aroma and become translucent.

• Create Luxurious Cream Sauce

Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream, creating a rich base. Sprinkle in sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, letting them meld into the creamy mixture. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce come together smoothly.

• Combine and Finish Dish

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the creamy sausage mixture, ensuring every strand is generously coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit more pasta water. Sprinkle with grated parmesan and fresh basil for a burst of flavor.

• Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the steaming pasta to serving plates. Garnish with additional parmesan and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately while the dish is hot and the sauce is gloriously creamy.

Flavor Add-Ins for Your Tuscan Pasta Creation

• Sausage Selection Magic: Choose spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick or mild sausage for a more gentle flavor profile, depending on your heat preference.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a lactose-free version that's equally creamy and delicious.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in extra spinach, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes to increase nutritional value and add more vibrant colors to the dish.
• Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare the sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising on taste.

How to Serve Sausage Pasta With a Twist

• Rustic Italian Dinner Companion: Serve this hearty pasta alongside a crisp arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette for a balanced meal that highlights the rich sausage flavors.
• Bread Dipping Delight: Warm garlic bread or crusty ciabatta slices pair perfectly with the creamy sauce, allowing guests to soak up every delicious drop of the Tuscan-inspired dish.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the robust sausage and creamy sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience with authentic Italian flair.
• Herb Garnish Finale: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness and provides a pop of color to the plate.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Pasta

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Smart Sauce Separation: Separate sauce from pasta before storing to prevent soggy texture, allowing each component to maintain its original quality and taste.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months, ideal for quick future meals and meal prep convenience.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Warm pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent dryness, ensuring the dish tastes freshly made.

Hearty Tuscan Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rustic Tuscan sausage pasta combines hearty Italian flavors with creamy sauce and aromatic herbs. Rich ingredients deliver a comforting meal that will transport you straight to the countryside of Tuscany.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
• 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• ½ cup chicken broth (for extra flavor and silkiness)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, oil-packed is best)
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale, chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed, for browning sausage)
• 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• ½ tsp italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Extra parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add pasta, stirring intermittently until achieving an al dente consistency according to package instructions.
2. Liquid Preservation: Drain pasta in a colander, reserving a small quantity of starchy cooking water for potential sauce modification, then transfer to a warm serving dish.
3. Sausage Rendering: In a spacious skillet, brown italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbled pieces until fully cooked and developing a rich caramelized exterior.
4. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic and diced onions to the sausage, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, releasing their delicate essence throughout the pan.
5. Cream Integration: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, incorporating sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken while developing complex flavor profiles.
6. Seasoning Enhancement: Sprinkle grated parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried Italian herbs, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and create a harmonious taste balance.
7. Final Composition: Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sausage mixture, gently folding to ensure comprehensive coating, and adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Garnishing Finale: Finish with additional parmesan and chopped fresh basil, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity.

Notes

• Choose Al Dente Pasta: Cook pasta just until it offers slight resistance when biting, preventing mushiness and maintaining perfect texture for Tuscan-style dishes.
• Reserve Pasta Water Wisely: Capture a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining, which helps create silky, clingy sauce and ensures ideal consistency.
• Salt Water Generously: Add enough salt to pasta water to create a seasoned base flavor that penetrates the pasta during cooking, enhancing overall dish taste.
• Warm Serving Dish Trick: Preheat your serving plate with hot water or briefly in the oven to keep pasta warm and prevent sauce from cooling too quickly, maintaining optimal eating temperature.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 90mg