Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure! This Sausage with Creamy Tomato Rotini isn't just a meal—it's a flavor-packed journey that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds. Imagine tender rotini pasta swirled in a luxurious, creamy tomato sauce, studded with perfectly browned Italian sausage and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese that melts into pure deliciousness. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that's so easy, even novice cooks can master it like a pro!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add rotini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove Italian sausage from its casing if necessary and add to the skillet.
- Break the sausage into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving a small amount for flavor. Add diced tomatoes with their juice to the cooked sausage.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the sausage and tomato mixture. Stir to combine and let simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to create a creamy sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sausage and creamy tomato sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Gently stir to incorporate and melt the cheese.
- Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the pasta rest for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to enhance the pasta's flavor from within.
- For the most flavorful sausage, remove it from the casing and break it into small, even crumbles to ensure consistent browning.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining - its starchy magic can help you adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Don't overcook the pasta! Aim for al dente, which means the pasta should have a slight bite and firmness.
- Let the dish rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
- For an extra touch of freshness, garnish with chopped parsley or fresh basil just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 880kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 38g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 165mg
