Description
A delicious and easy Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta recipe featuring tender bow tie pasta coated in a creamy tomato sauce with flavorful sweet Italian sausage, garlic, onions, and a touch of fresh basil and Parmesan. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a special dinner with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16 oz) package bow tie pasta
Sauce and Sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 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 until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it to retain the starch, which will help thicken the sauce.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the crumbled sweet Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the sausage is browned evenly.
- Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the onions become tender and translucent, enhancing the flavor base of the dish.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream: Pour in the Italian diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and salt. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for about 8 minutes to develop depth and thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta thoroughly in the sauce. Allow the pasta to cook in the sauce for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese until well blended. Serve the pasta immediately while warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This creamy pasta dish is both quick enough for weeknight dinners and elegant enough for special occasions.
- Leaving some pasta starch on helps achieve a rich, thick sauce consistency.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level for a milder or spicier sauce.
- Fresh basil and Parmesan add a bright, savory finish adding authentic Italian flavor.
- Perfect for serving 6 people as a hearty main course.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: fifty five g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
