Penne with Sausage and Yum Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne with Sausage and Yum Sauce recipe—a hearty and satisfying dish brimming with bold Italian flavors. Perfectly al dente penne pasta is tossed with savory Italian sausage, a rich tomato-based cream sauce, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a luxuriously creamy finish. Fresh basil adds a burst of herbal freshness, while optional red pepper flakes deliver a spicy kick that you can customize to your taste. With just 10 minutes of prep and a total cooking time of 25 minutes, this easy one-pan recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for entertaining. Serve it with crusty bread and a crisp salad for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Keywords: Penne with Sausage, creamy pasta, quick weeknight dinner, Italian comfort food, easy pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 tbsp butter

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the butter and allow it to melt. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Cook for another 2 minutes while stirring gently. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix it into the sauce. Add the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the sausage and sauce until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Step 9

Serve the penne hot, topped with additional grated parmesan and fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1828.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4739.6

Total Fat 286.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 136.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 783.6mg	0%
Sodium 10370.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 301.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 19.8g
Protein 214.8g	0%

Vitamin D 2.2IU	0%
Calcium 2843.4mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 3029.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.5%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 26.0%