Description
Red pepper sausage pasta delight combines spicy Italian sausage with roasted peppers in a rich, creamy sauce. Quick weeknight dinners benefit from this hearty Mediterranean-inspired meal that satisfies deep comfort cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or medium shells recommended)
- 2 cups roasted red peppers, drained (from a 16 oz jar)
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp salt, or to taste
- 6 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside, preserving its perfect texture and readiness for the sauce.
- Sauce Creation: Blend roasted red peppers, chicken broth, heavy cream, and basil leaves into a velvety, vibrant sauce with smooth, uniform consistency.
- Sausage Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then brown Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into crispy, caramelized fragments that promise intense flavor.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Add shallots and garlic to the sausage, sautéing until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence, seasoning with kosher salt to amplify the dish’s depth.
- Sauce Integration: Pour the red pepper purée into the skillet, reducing heat and allowing the sauce to simmer gently, melding flavors and developing a rich, luxurious texture.
- Final Assembly: Fold in the reserved pasta and Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to ensure each strand is generously coated with the creamy, robust sauce, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from heat after brief mixing, letting residual warmth finalize the sauce’s absorption and cheese incorporation, resulting in a perfectly balanced, irresistible pasta dish.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose a short, sturdy pasta like penne or rigatoni that captures sauce effectively in its ridges and holds up to hearty sausage.
- Pepper Power: Roast peppers at home for deeper, smokier flavor if time allows; jarred peppers work perfectly as a quick alternative.
- Sausage Selection: Opt for spicy Italian sausage to add extra depth and heat, or use mild version for a more family-friendly meal.
- Cheese Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother and provides richer flavor compared to pre-packaged versions; invest in a good quality block.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 703
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 497 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg