Creamy Sausage Pasta with Tomatoes
This Creamy Sausage Pasta with Tomatoes features sweet Italian sausage, farfalle, crushed tomatoes, and cream in a rich, savory sauce finished with fresh basil and Pecorino Romano. A comforting and hearty dish ready in under an hour.
Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage casings removed
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil packed
- Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce Base
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and crushed red pepper. Sauté while breaking the sausage into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
Incorporate Aromatics
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add Tomatoes and Cream
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with their puree, followed by the heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 3–4 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Cook the Pasta
- In a separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the prepared sausage and tomato cream sauce. Toss gently over medium-low heat until the pasta is evenly coated. If needed, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
Finish and Serve
- Transfer the pasta to a serving dish. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh basil and Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
To Make This Recipe Gluten-Free: Use your preferred brand of gluten-free pasta, such as a rice or corn-based farfalle or penne. Double-check that your Italian sausage and crushed tomatoes are certified gluten-free, as additives or fillers may contain gluten. The remaining ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always verify individual product labels to be safe.