Description
This Easy Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender bow tie pasta coated in a creamy tomato sauce with sweet Italian sausage, garlic, onions, and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a cozy dinner, this recipe combines savory and creamy elements for a delicious Italian-inspired dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 16 oz package bow tie pasta
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 14.5 oz cans Italian diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta but do not rinse to retain the starch, which helps thicken the sauce.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add crumbled Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is evenly browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked sausage. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent, releasing their sweetness and flavor into the pan.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the diced Italian tomatoes, heavy cream, and sprinkle in the salt. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 8 minutes, letting it reduce and thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained bow tie pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly. Let it cook together for another 3-5 minutes to allow the pasta to soak up the flavors and thicken the sauce further.
- Finish with Basil and Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This dish balances creamy richness with savory Italian sausage and fresh basil, perfect for a comforting meal.
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining to keep the natural starches, which help the sauce cling better.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- This recipe can be prepared in under an hour, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
